Biospeckle optical coherence tomography reveals the mitigation of the harmful effects of heavy metal zinc in combination with polyethylene microplastics in lentil seeds

Abstract

Microplastic pollution has become prevalent due to industrialization and the wide use of plastic. In this study, the individual and combined effects of polyethylene microplastic with Zn on lentil seed germination were monitored using Biospeckle Optical Coherence Tomography (bOCT), a technique established by authors to visualize the internal activity of biological objects. The results imply that both 100 mg L-1 heavy metal Zn or polyethylene microplastics (PEMPs) alone had a strong inhibitory effect on lentils. However, in combination with PEMPs, the Zn toxicity on lentils was reduced due to the reduction of Zn uptake by the seedlings through the interaction of Zn and MPs. These findings suggest that PEMPs could be able to mitigate the effect on the bioavailability and toxicity of Zn on lentils.