Sub-micron plastics (SMPs, size < 1 µm) are potentially taken up by plants. Serious concerns arise that how far SMPs can transfer from plants into food webs. Here, we show that lettuce takes up 250... Show moreSub-micron plastics (SMPs, size < 1 µm) are potentially taken up by plants. Serious concerns arise that how far SMPs can transfer from plants into food webs. Here, we show that lettuce takes up 250 nm gadolinium labelled polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) SMPs from the soil. The polymer type influences the biodistribution of the particles in lettuce (roots and leaves) and the number of particles transferred from the plants to insects feeding on the treated lettuce. The SMPs were further transferred from insects to insect-feeding fish to accumulate mostly in the fish liver. No Gd was released from the particles upon biotransformation (formation of protein corona on the particles) in the plants or insects. However, Gd ion was detected in fish fed with PS-SMP treated insects, indicating the possible degradation of the particles. No biomagnification in fish was detected for either type of SMPs. We conclude that plastic particles can potentially transfer from soil into food webs and the chemical composition of plastics influences their biodistribution and trophic transfer in organisms. Show less
The current debate on hazards associated with sub-micron sized plastics is hampered by a lack of quantitative data on the uptake and biological fate of plastics in organisms. Analytical methods... Show moreThe current debate on hazards associated with sub-micron sized plastics is hampered by a lack of quantitative data on the uptake and biological fate of plastics in organisms. Analytical methods should be developed to identify, characterize, and quantify sub-micron particulate plastic in biota to understand their biological fate in terms of biodistribution, localization, bioaccumulation and clearance. Here we give a perspective on a promising workflow of sample preparation methods and techniques that could enable analysis of sub-micron plastics in biological matrices and discuss their application for biological fate studies of particulate plastic in organisms. We also expect these methods to be largely transferrable to studies considering sub-micron plastics in food, consumer products, human and some environmental compartments. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Show less
