Fungal "Vacuum Cleaner" Effect Eases the Negative Impact of Nanoplastics on Soil Microbes
Key Highlights :
Using micro-engineered soil models, researchers at Lund University in Sweden have investigated the effect of tiny polystyrene particles on bacteria and fungi. While these nanoplastics reduced both bacterial and fungal growth, the fungus actually managed to "clean up" their surroundings, thereby easing the effect of the plastics. Their work has been published in Science of The Total Environment.
Plastic waste is a serious global issue, with micro- and nanoplastics ending up in our soils from careless disposal, landfills, car tires, and synthetic clothes. Nanoplastics have been proven to induce toxicity in diverse organisms, yet very little is known about how this new pollutant is affecting the soil ecosystem. To study these nanoparticles of polystyrene, the researchers used microfluidic chips, a growth system that allowed them to observe interactions of single cells with the plastics under the microscope.
At the highest nanoplastics concentration, the fungi caught most of the tiny plastics present in their vicinity, in a process that the researchers labeled the 'vacuum cleaner effect'. They found that nanoplastics can cause a direct negative effect on the soil microbes, highlighting the need for further studies that can explain how the microbial stress response might affect soil functions.
The nanoplastic particles clung to the surface of the fungal branches in such a way that the surroundings were almost nanoplastic-free. The fungus managed to clean up its surroundings under high concentrations, and could then grow better again. The results of the study were confirmed for many conditions, although the researchers point out that it might be species dependent.
This study serves as a reminder to reduce our plastic waste and the pollution of soils. Finding fungi that can specifically collect nanoplastics from the soil solution may help other organisms to sustain the pollution better, and perhaps attract bacteria that can break down plastics. The fungal 'vacuum cleaner' is not an easy fix for the problem, but can give a little hope for the future.
Overall, the research from Lund University has shown that the 'vacuum cleaner' effect of the fungi can help to reduce the negative impact of nanoplastics on soil microbes. This could be a potential solution to the plastic pollution problem, and further research is needed to understand how this process could be implemented on a larger scale.
