Polyethylene nanoplastics, tebuconazole and cadmium affect soil-wheat system by altering rhizosphere microenvironment under single or combined exposure

Bo Zhao; Fang Chen; Kexin Zhou; Manfeng Lin; Lihu Shi; Shican Mi; Haixia Pan; Qiang Yao; Xin Zhao

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135843

Polyethylene nanoplastics, tebuconazole and cadmium affect soil-wheat system by altering rhizosphere microenvironment under single or combined exposure

J Hazard Mater. 2024 Sep 16:480:135843. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135843. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Bo Zhao¹, Fang Chen², Kexin Zhou¹, Manfeng Lin¹, Lihu Shi¹, Shican Mi¹, Haixia Pan¹, Qiang Yao³, Xin Zhao⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China; School of Resources and Materials, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao 066004, China.
² School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China; School of Resources and Materials, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao 066004, China. Electronic address: chenfangyq@163.com.
³ Ocean College, Hebei Agriculture University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China. Electronic address: yytyyq@163.com.
⁴ School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China.

PMID: 39305587
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135843

Abstract

Microplastics and nanoplastics (NPs) are pollutants of global concern. However, the understanding of the combined effects of NPs and other pollutants in the soil-plant system remains limited, particularly for polyethylene (PE), the primary component of agricultural films. This study investigated the effects of PE NPs (0.5 %, w/w), fungicide tebuconazole (Te, 10 mg·kg^-1), and cadmium (Cd, 4.0 mg·kg^-1) on the soil-wheat system under single and combined exposures. The synergistic toxicity observed between NPs and Te impacted the nutritional conditions and antioxidant mechanisms of the soil-wheat system. The NPs increased the concentration of Cd in roots and the proportion of bioavailable Cd, exacerbating oxidative stress in wheat and inhibiting biomass. The soil-wheat system responded to stress by upregulating or downregulating pathways related to carbohydrate, amino acid, and sugar metabolism under various treatments. Sixteen functional genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, energy utilization, and gene repair at KEGG level 3 were employed to sustain microenvironmental homeostasis. Correlation analysis between microorganisms and environmental factors showed that various PGPG played roles in maintaining the health of the soil-wheat system. These results help to elucidate the comprehensive effects of NPs with other pollutants on the soil-plant system and provide new perspectives for toxic mechanisms.

Keywords: Combined toxicity; Microbial community; Nanoplastics; Rhizosphere environment; Soil metabolite.