AUTHOR=Esterhuizen Maranda , Vikfors Sofia , Penttinen Olli-Pekka , Kim Young Jun , Pflugmacher Stephan TITLE=Lolium multiflorum germination and growth affected by virgin, naturally, and artificially aged high-density polyethylene microplastic and leachates JOURNAL=Frontiers in Environmental Science VOLUME=10 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.964230 DOI=10.3389/fenvs.2022.964230 ISSN=2296-665X ABSTRACT=
With the detection of microplastics in soil, coupled with the various sources continuously contributing to its delivery to and distribution in soils, understanding the effects of microplastics on plants are necessary. Plastics discarded in the environment continually degrade into micro- and nano-sizes, subsequently leaching hazardous chemicals with time. Not only time but also environmental factors related to the climate of the area where the plastic is degrading will contribute to the breakdown process. Thus, this study aimed to understand the phytotoxic effects of microplastic derived from a frequently discarded plastic item, i.e., high-density polyethylene soda bottle caps. The commonly occurring perennial