Reduced dietary Ca, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Mg bioavailability but increased Fe bioavailability with polyethylene microplastic ingestion in a mouse model: Changes in intestinal permeability and gut metabolites.

Microplastics emerge as a new environmental and human health crisis. Minimal research exists on effects of microplastic ingestion on the oral bioavailability of minerals (Fe, Ca, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Mg) in the gastrointestinal tract via impacting intestinal permeability, mineral transcellular transporters, and gut metabolites. Here, mice were exposed to polyethylene spheres of 30 and 200 μm (PE-30 and PE-200) in diet (2, 20, and 200 μg PE g) for 35 d to determine the microplastic effects on mineral oral bioavailability.

[Effects of free-air CO2 enrichment on phosphine emission from rice field].

Phosphine, a trace gas, has been proved to commonly exist in environment. Under free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) condition, the phosphine fluxes were investigated on the function of different nitrogen fertilizer application, NN (normal N, 250 kg/hm2) and LN (low N, 125 kg/hm2). Results showed that phosphine fluxes and concentrations in flourishing stages, both tillering stage and elongation stage, were higher than in slowly growing stages.

Oxidative stress, defense response, and early biomarkers for lead-contaminated soil in Vicia faba seedlings.

Chemical analyses and biological measurements were investigated in leaves of Vicia faba seedlings exposed to extraneous lead (Pb) at 0 to 2,000 mg/kg of soil for a month. The results showed that superoxide radical (O*(2)(-)) production, increased along with total Pb in leaves and available Pb in soil, resulted in enhancement of malondialdehyde and carbonyl groups. Antioxidant enzymes, including corresponding isoenzymes and heat shock protein 70 (hsp 70), were also enhanced to some extent.