Sustainable Earth Trends

Sustainable Earth Trends

An overview the effects of Nanoplastics and Microplastics on Plants

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
Malihe Mozafarjalali 1
Hassan Rezaei 1
Mohammad Hossein Sayadi 2
Seyedeh Mahbubeh Mirmiran 3
Hossein Varasteh Moradi 1
1 Department of Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
2 Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science (INIOAS), Tehran 1411813389, Iran
3 Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Mashhad, Iran
10.48308/set.2026.240777.1144
Abstract
Today, plastic pollution has become a very important environmental issue. The excessive and increasing use of plastic products and the unprincipled disposal of plastic waste have led to the spread of nanoplastic and microplastic pollution. This topic threatens the ecosystem and can endangers human health. Several studies have been conducted on the direct and indirect influences of nanoplastics and microplastics on plant. Microplastic or nanoplastic particles may be absorbed and/or adsorbed by leaves and roots and have various effects. The present work is an attempt to investigate the direct effects of nanoplastics and microplastics on vascular plants, including studying the effects of this pollutant on growth and physiological responses such as photosynthesis, germination, cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genetics. Microplastics and nanoplastics disrupt plant function and pollute the food chain. It is hoped that by investigating the direct effects of micro- and nanoplastics on plants, a basis will be provided for future research on the complex interactions of plants and plastics.
Keywords
Microplastics
Nanoplastics
Plants
Toxicity
Subjects
Sustainable Earth Trends

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 16 January 2026