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Toxicity of polystyrene microplastics on seeds and seedlings of Brassica campestris L.
Received:December 22, 2020  
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KeyWord:polystyrene;microplastics;Brassica campestris L.;seed germination;toxic effect
Author NameAffiliationE-mail
HUANG Xian-pei College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Shanwei Marine Industry Institute, Shanwei 516600, China 
 
XIANG Lei College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China  
GUO Jing-jie College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China  
PAN Yi-feng Shanwei Marine Industry Institute, Shanwei 516600, China  
CHEN Yi-ping Shanwei Marine Industry Institute, Shanwei 516600, China  
LI Yan-wen College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China  
MO Ce-hui College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China tchmo@jnu.edu.cn 
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Abstract:
      To explore the ecotoxic effects of microplastics on seed germination of vegetables and other crop seeds, the effects of different particle sizes(0.07, 1 μm, and 20 μm) and concentrations(125, 250, 500, 750, 1 000, 1 500 mg·L-1, and 2 000 mg·L-1) of spherical polystyrene microplastics(PS-MPs) on seed germination and seedling growth of Brassica campestris L. were investigated. The results showed that PS-MPs of all particle sizes could cause toxic effects on the germination of B. campestris L. seeds. The highest sensitivity to toxicity was observed with 0.07 μm PS-MPs, whereas the 20 μm PS-MPs had the most toxic effects. Stress resistance to PS-MPs was improved in B. campestris L. seedlings through adjusting the content of soluble protein and soluble sugar in the plant. Furthermore, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly inhibited by PS-MPs, particularly at high concentrations(P<0.05). These results indicate that polystyrene microspheres have significant toxicity effects based on particle size on seed germination and seedling growth of Brassica campestris L., and the mechanisms of toxicity are related to the regulation of soluble sugar and protein levels and the oxidative stress system in plants.