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Project Overview
Research Question
Does exposure to different sized microplastics/nanoplastics (MNPs) in a hydroponic tank affect biomass, water uptake and plant health in Lactuca sativa?
Purpose
Identify impacts of microplastics on Lettuce and draw conclusions of future impacts and implications on humans.
Gaps
As microplastics have become a popular topic in recent years, there have been numerous studies done to understand their impacts on the world. However, given the recent nature of these studies, there are still many gaps in what scientists know about their impacts. Specifically, there are limitations on what the future implications on the environment are. While there are studies that focus on the environment, like looking at impacts on plants, many use aquatic species compared to terrestrial. This trend comes from indirect impacts on the plant health from the soil stability or structure. When scientists do use terrestrial plants, they often note that the soil was a major barrier in drawing strong conclusions. Additionally, many studies lack a variety of microplastic sizes, which researchers state is a major limitation because plant roots have unpredictable widths.
About Microplastics/Nanoplastics
Microplastics are defined as tiny plastic particles that are less than 5 millimeters long. They come from synthetic textiles shedding fibers during washing, the wear and tear of vehicle tires, breakdown of larger plastic waste, and lost or discarded fishing gear. As plastic production has exponentially increased, these particles are being spread throughout the environment. They have been found in nearly every environment on Earth, from the deep ocean and Arctic sea ice to high mountain peaks like Mount Everest in the air, water, soil and food. Given their prevalence on Earth, it is imperative to wonder how the environment is being impacted by the particles and their future implications.
Microplastics
Microplastics
About Lactuca sativa
There are numerous ways to study the impact of microplastics on the environment. Though, studies suggest that soil is the major area contaminated by these plastics. With this said, I will be using Lettuce to study microplastic contamination because plants are increasingly being affected in the environment. I specifically chose Lettuce because it is a food plant, and they grow quickly. Specifically, they take around 30 to 70 days, which fits into my timeline well. In the end, I will get a general conclusion on what the future of food plants will be and how this could impact humans.
About Hydroponic Tanks
I bought three hydroponic tanks from Amazon, funded by the school. These are 8-Pod Hydroponics Growing System that are translucent with LED grow lights and water pumps. The water pump will ensure the particles don't settle at the bottom and the attached sunlight lamp will help the plants grow.
To reduce indirect effects of soil on the plant growth, I will be using hydroponic tanks. In simple terms, these are tanks that hold water, nutrients, and in my case the microplastics. Then, the lettuce roots will go directly into the water without being exposed to soil. This will allow the roots to be directly exposed to microplastics in the water to enhance the accumulation and translocation of the particles in the plants.
Hydroponic Tank
Hydroponic Tank
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