Unraveling the impacts of micro- and nano-plastics in the plant world

This thesis was co-funded by the European Union under the PON Research and Innovation 2014-2020 program and aimed to investigate the effects of micro- and nano-plastic (MNP) pollution on plant organisms. These emerging pollutants are now pervasive across all environmental compartments, and their impacts on plants were studied using various techniques across different matrices, including air, water, and soil. This work has made a significant contribution to advancing knowledge on the topic, revealing that MNPs at realistic concentrations can alter plant physiology, metabolism, and nutrient accumulation, despite having minimal visible effects on growth in the tested exposure times. In addition, key and innovative findings include that MNPs can: i) alter plant DNA methylation patterns; ii) disturb plant-microbe symbiotic interactions; iii) affect crop productivity and food quality; iv) influence plant-pathogen interactions. The doctoral period also included a six-month collaboration with the company NEMO (Nature Environment Management Operators) srl, during which MNP pollution was assessed in the protected area of Massaciuccoli Lake (northern Tuscany, Italy). The MNP-induced impairments to various aspects of plant life highlight the need for a solution to address this global environmental challenge, with a collaborative effort from both the scientific community and governance being essential in this regard.