Metabolic profiles and protein expression responses of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) to polystyrene microplastic stress.

The underlying toxicity mechanisms of microplastics on oysters have rarely been explored. To fill this gap, the present study investigated the metabolic profile and protein expression responses of oysters to microplastic stress through metabolomics and biochemical analyses. Oysters were exposed to microplastics for 21 days, and the results indicated that the microplastics induced oxidative stress, with a significant decrease in SOD activity in the 0.1 mg/L exposure group. Metabolomics revealed that exposure to microplastics disturbed many metabolic pathways, such as amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and that different concentrations of microplastics induced diverse metabolomic profiles in oysters. Overall, the current study provides new reference data and insights for assessing food safety and consumer health risks caused by microplastic contamination.

Application of FTIR two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) analysis in characterizing environmental behaviors of microplastics: A systematic review.

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the environment, continuously undergo aging processes and release toxic chemical substances. Understanding the environmental behaviors of MPs is critical to accurately evaluate their long-term ecological risk. Generalized two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) is a powerful tool for MPs studies, which can dig more comprehensive information hiding in the conventional one-dimensional spectra, such as infrared (IR) and Raman spectra. The recent applications of 2D-COS in analyzing the behaviors and fates of MPs in the environment, including their aging processes, and interactions with natural organic matter (NOM) or other chemical substances, were summarized systematically. The main requirements and limitations of current approaches for exploring these processes are discussed, and the corresponding strategies to address these limitations and drawbacks are proposed as well. Finally, new trends of 2D-COS are prospected for analyzing the properties and behaviors of MPs in both natural and artificial environmental processes.

Effect of chlorination and ultraviolet on the adsorption of pefloxacin on polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride.

During the water treatment process, chlorination and ultraviolet (UV) sterilization can modify microplastics (MPs) and alter their physicochemical properties, causing various changes between MPs and other pollutants. In this study, the impact of chlorination and UV modification on the physicochemical properties of polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were investigated, and the adsorption behavior of pefloxacin (PEF) before and after modification was examined. The effect of pH, ionic strength, dissolved organic matter, heavy metal ions and other water environmental conditions on adsorption behavior was revealed. The results showed that PS had a higher adsorption capacity of PEF than PVC, and the modification increased the presence of O-containing functional groups in the MPs, thereby enhancing the adsorption capacity of both materials. Chlorination had a more significant impact on the physicochemical properties of MPs compared to UV irradiation within the same time period, leading to better adsorption performance of chlorination. The optimal pH for adsorption was found to be 6, and NaCl, sodium alginate and Cu2+ would inhibit adsorption to varying degrees, among which the inhibition caused by pH was the strongest. Chlorination and UV modification would weaken the inhibitory effect of environmental factors on the adsorption of PEF by MPs. The main mechanisms of adsorption involved electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding. The study clarified the effects of modification on the physicochemical properties of MPs, providing reference for subsequent biotoxicity analysis and environmental protection studies.

Physicochemical characteristics of airborne microplastics of a typical coastal city in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China.

Airborne microplastics (MPs) are important pollutants that have been present in the environment for many years and are characterized by their universality, persistence, and potential toxicity. This study investigated the effects of terrestrial and marine transport of MPs in the atmosphere of a coastal city and compared the difference between daytime and nighttime. Laser direct infrared imaging (LDIR) and polarized light microscopy were used to characterize the physical and chemical properties of MPs, including number concentration, chemical types, shape, and size. Backward trajectories were used to distinguish the air masses from marine and terrestrial transport. Twenty chemical types were detected by LDIR, with rubber (16.7%) and phenol-formaldehyde resin (PFR; 14.8%) being major components. Three main morphological types of MPs were identified, and fragments (78.1%) are the dominant type. MPs in the atmosphere were concentrated in the small particle size segment (20-50 µm). The concentration of MPs in the air mass from marine transport was 14.7 items/m3 - lower than that from terrestrial transport (32.0 items/m3). The number concentration of airborne MPs was negatively correlated with relative humidity. MPs from terrestrial transport were mainly rubber (20.2%), while those from marine transport were mainly PFR (18%). MPs in the marine transport air mass were more aged and had a lower number concentration than those in the terrestrial transport air mass. The number concentration of airborne MPs is higher during the day than at night. These findings could contribute to the development of targeted control measures and methods to reduce MP pollution.

Rapid detection of colored and colorless macro- and micro-plastics in complex environment via near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning.

To better understand the migration behavior of plastic fragments in the environment, development of rapid non-destructive methods for in-situ identification and characterization of plastic fragments is necessary. However, most of the studies had focused only on colored plastic fragments, ignoring colorless plastic fragments and the effects of different environmental media (backgrounds), thus underestimating their abundance. To address this issue, the present study used near-infrared spectroscopy to compare the identification of colored and colorless plastic fragments based on partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), extreme gradient boost, support vector machine and random forest classifier. The effects of polymer color, type, thickness, and background on the plastic fragments classification were evaluated. PLS-DA presented the best and most stable outcome, with higher robustness and lower misclassification rate. All models frequently misinterpreted colorless plastic fragments and its background when the fragment thickness was less than 0.1mm. A two-stage modeling method, which first distinguishes the plastic types and then identifies colorless plastic fragments that had been misclassified as background, was proposed. The method presented an accuracy higher than 99% in different backgrounds. In summary, this study developed a novel method for rapid and synchronous identification of colored and colorless plastic fragments under complex environmental backgrounds.

Microplastics enhance the adsorption capacity of zinc oxide nanoparticles: Interactive mechanisms and influence factors.

Microplastics (MPs) are of particular concern due to their ubiquitous occurrence and propensity to interact and concentrate various waterborne contaminants from aqueous surroundings. Studies on the interaction and joint toxicity of MPs on engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are exhaustive, but limited research on the effect of MPs on the properties of ENPs in multi-solute systems. Here, the effect of MPs on adsorption ability of ENPs to antibiotics was investigated for the first time. The results demonstrated that MPs enhanced the adsorption affinity of ENPs to antibiotics and MPs before and after aging showed different effects on ENPs. Aged polyamide prevented aggregation of ZnONPs by introducing negative charges, whereas virgin polyamide affected ZnONPs with the help of electrostatic attraction. FT-IR and XPS analyses were used to probe the physicochemical interactions between ENPs and MPs. The results showed no chemical interaction and electrostatic interaction was the dominant force between them. Furthermore, the adsorption rate of antibiotics positively correlated with pH and humic acid but exhibited a negative correlation with ionic strength. Our study highlights that ENPs are highly capable of accumulating and transporting antibiotics in the presence of MPs, which could result in a widespread distribution of antibiotics and an expansion of their environmental risks and toxic effects on biota. It also improves our understanding of the mutual interaction of various co-existing contaminants in aqueous environments.

Investigations on adsorptive removal of PVC microplastics from aqueous solutions using Pinus roxburghii-derived biochar.

This study investigates the adsorption mechanisms of pine bark biochar (BC) and modified pine bark biochar (MBC) in the removal of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics from aqueous solutions, with a significant focus on resource recovery from pine residues which is one of the key Himalayan Forest byproducts. The research findings highlighted the optimal adsorption capacity of biochar at 131.5 mg/g achieved after 6 h of contact time, with a pH of 10 and a PVC microplastic concentration of 200 mg/L. The primary mechanisms of PVC microplastic adsorption involved ion exchange and physical adsorption, driven by forces such as Vander-Waals, London forces, and electrostatic forces. Thermodynamic analysis showed the exothermic nature of the PVC and BC/MBC interaction, with spontaneous adsorption occurring within the temperature range of 10 to 40 °C. Isotherm and kinetic models fit well with Temkin model and PSO kinetics, as indicated by R2 values exceeding 0.9. Particularly, MBC exhibited superior removal efficiency and adsorption capacity compared to its precursor, reaching an optimum adsorption capacity of 156.08 mg/g with a removal efficiency of 78%, surpassing the performance of BC. This research contributes valuable insights into potential applications of BC for PVC removal and underscores the effectiveness of MBC in achieving enhanced adsorption outcomes.

Ecotoxicological risk of co-exposure to fosthiazate and microplastics on earthworms (Eisenia fetida): Integrating biochemical and transcriptomic analyses.

Fosthiazate (FOS) is a widely used organophosphorus insecticide effective against soil root-knot nematodes. However, its ecotoxicity to non-target soil organisms, particularly in combination with microplastics (MPs), is unclear. This study explores the toxic-effects and molecular mechanisms of co-exposure to FOS and MPs on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) using multilevel toxicity endpoints and transcriptomics. Results showed that both FOS and MPs elevated the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in earthworms' cells. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities followed a similar trend in all treatments, with changes observed at 14 and 28 days, indicating that co-exposure to FOS and MPs increased DNA oxidative damage. Notably, the co-exposure more significantly inhibited Ca2+-ATPase activity and exacerbated neurotoxicity compared to individual treatments, closely associated with changes in intracellular ROS levels that mediate neuroinhibition and lead to neurotoxicity. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that MPs and FOS disrupted pathways related to metabolism, immunity, and apoptosis, while co-exposure primarily impaired endocrine and receptor pathways, showing higher toxicity. Our study offers novel insights into the ecotoxicological effects and mechanisms of pesticides and microplastics on earthworms, providing valuable data for evaluating the soil environmental health risks associated with compound pollution.

Natural sorting of sediments in the wave run-up zone works for microplastics as well.

The distribution of plastic pollution in the marine environment is highly variable in time and space, making it difficult to assess pollution levels. This study shows that mixing and natural sorting of material in the wave run-up zone of a sandy beach results in a relatively stable abundance of microplastics in the size range 0.5-2 mm (S-MPs). Based on 175 samples collected over 14 months during 42 monitoring surveys at 6 stations along the shore of the Vistula Spit (Baltic Sea), the mean abundance of S-MPs was found to be 64 ± 36 items/kg DW (98.6 % fibers), with a coefficient of variation of only 56 % over more than one year. Statistical tests confirmed its independence from current wind speed, significant wave height, mean sediment grain size, sediment sorting, percentage of certain sand fractions, month, season, or location along the shore. It can therefore be used as a suitable indicator for long-term monitoring of increasing plastic pollution in the marine environment.

Investigation of cell-to-cell transfer of polystyrene microplastics through extracellular vesicle-mediated communication.

Plastics are an essential part of human life and their production is increasing every year. Plastics degrade into small particles (<5 mm, microplastics, MPs) in the environment due to various factors. MPs are widely distributed in the environment, and all living organisms are exposed to the effects of MPs. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane particles surrounded by a lipid bilayer that are released into the environment by various cell types and are highly involved in inter- and intra-cellular communication through the exchange of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids between cells. There have been numerous reports of adverse effects associated with the accumulation of MPs in human and animal cells, with recent studies showing that plastic treatment increases the number of EVs released from cells, but the mechanisms by which MPs accumulate and move between cells remain unclear. In this study, we investigated whether polystyrene (PS)-MPs are transferred cell-to-cell via EVs. This study showed that cell-derived EVs can transport plastic particles. Furthermore, we confirmed the accumulation of PS-MPs transported by EVs within cells using a real-time imaging device. This study provides an understanding of potential EVs-mediated effects of PS-MPs on organisms and suggests directions for further research.

Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in water and sediments of Hatiya Island, Bangladesh and their risk assessment.

This research has evaluated the MPs distribution, characteristics, and potential threats of MPs in surface water and sediments from Hatiya Island. The results showed that the abundance of MPs was 139 ± 44 items/m3 in surface water and 493 ± 80 items/kg dw in sediments, indicating higher levels of MPs contamination in sediment samples. Fibers were the predominant kind of microplastics, and microscopic sizes (0.3-1.5 mm) MPs were generally more frequent and largely present in both the surface water and sediments. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that polyethylene terephthalate was the major polymer component of microplastics in surface water, whereas polyethylene was the most abundant polymer in sediments. MPs contamination risk was examined based on multiple risk assessment models. Nemerow pollution index (NPI) and pollutant load index (PLI) show minimal pollution levels of MPs. But potential hazard index (PHI), potential ecological risk factor (Er), and potential ecological risk index (RI), indicate severe MPs contamination due to the presence of polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, epoxy that were hazardous MPs and exhibited a critical concern for MPs risk. These statistics will help to understand the environmental difficulties generated by MPs and which hazard is waiting for mankind in the future.

Coupling polyethylene microplastics with other pollutants: Exploring their combined effects on plant health and technologies for mitigating toxicity.

The presence of microplastics in agricultural soils has raised concerns regarding their potential impacts on ecosystem health and plant growth. The introduction of microplastics into soil can alter its physicochemical properties, leading to adverse effects on plant development. Furthermore, the adsorption capabilities of microplastics may enhance the toxicity of soil pollutants, potentially resulting in detrimental effects on plant life. Large-sized microplastics may become adhered to root surfaces, impeding stomatal function and restricting nutrient uptake. Conversely, smaller microplastics and nano-plastics may be internalized by plants, causing cellular damage and genotoxicity. In addition, the presence of microplastics in soil can indirectly affect plant growth and development by altering the soil environment. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the potential impacts of microplastics on agricultural ecosystems and develop strategies to mitigate their effects. This review describes the adsorption power between polyethylene microplastics and pollutants (heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and antibiotics) commonly found in agricultural fields and the factors affecting the adsorption process. Additionally, the direct and indirect effects of microplastics on plants are summarized. Most of the single or combined microplastic contaminants showed negative effects on plant growth, with a few beneficial effects related to the characteristics of the microplastics and environmental factors. Currently microbial action and the application of soil conditioners or plant growth promoters can alleviate the effects of microplastics on plants to a certain extent. In light of the complex nature of soil environments, future research should concentrate on mitigate and control these interactions and the impact of compound pollution on ecosystems.

Microplastics alter toxicity of the insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis to chironomid larvae in different ways depending on particle size.

Microplastics (<5 mm) are emerging freshwater contaminants that can have a wide range of effects on aquatic biota. One concern is that combined effects of microplastics (MPs) with other stressors, such as co-occurring contaminants in urban or agricultural runoff may be significant even when the direct effects of MPs may be modest. Despite the frequent detection of both insecticides and MPs in freshwater ecosystems, there is a lack of co-exposure studies of insecticides (especially Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)) and MPs. Here we tested the effects of ingested MPs and Bti individually and in co-exposure using the aquatic midge Chironomus riparius as a model organism. First instar larvae were fed two sizes of white polyethylene particles (34-50 and 125 µm diameter) at 106 mg/L in an artificial diet and simultaneously exposed to increasing concentrations of Bti (7, 13, 27, 53, and 89 ng/L Active Ingredient) in the water column for 21 days. For comparison, a trial was also conducted with naturally occurring kaolin clay particles (1-10 µm diameter) at 106 mg/L in the artificial diet. Bti alone reduced 7-day larval survival at higher concentrations (53, and 89 ng/L). Dietary PE-MPs and kaolin did not affect the survival of C. riparius larvae. However, when exposed in combination, PE-MPs modified the toxicity of Bti. This modification was size-dependent, with smaller particles (34-50 µm) increasing survival of Bti-exposed larvae and larger particles (125 µm) reducing survival. Our results show the potential for microplastics to alter the efficacy of an insecticide widely used to control nuisance midges and mosquitoes and add to a growing body of literature describing how the toxicological effects of microplastics are influenced by the size and shape of particles.

Global patterns of lake microplastic pollution: Insights from regional human development levels.

Microplastics have emerged as a pervasive pollutant across various environmental media. Nevertheless, our understanding of their occurrence, sources, and drivers in global lakes still needs to be completed due to limited data. This study compiled data from 117 studies (2016-May 2024) on microplastic contamination in lake surface water and sediment, encompassing surface water samples in 351 lakes and lake sediment samples in 200 lakes across 43 countries. Using meta-analysis and statistical methods, the study reveals significant regional variability in microplastic pollution, with concentrations ranging from 0.09 to 207,500 items/m3 in surface water and from 5.41 to 18,100 items/kg in sediment. Most microplastics were under 1 mm in particle size, accounting for approximately 79 % of lake surface water and 76 % of sediment. Transparent and blue microplastics were the most common, constituting 34 % and 21 % of lake surface water and 28 % and 18 % of sediment, respectively. Fibers were the dominant shape, representing 47 % of lake surface water and 48 % of sediment. The primary identified polymer types were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Countries like India, Pakistan, and China had higher contamination levels. Positive correlations were found between microplastic abundance in surface water and factors like human footprint index (r = 0.29, p < 0.01), precipitation (r = 0.21, p < 0.05), and net surface solar radiation (r = 0.43, p < 0.001). In contrast, negative correlations were observed with the human development index (r = -0.61, p < 0.01) and wind speed (r = -0.42, p < 0.001). In sediment, microplastics abundance correlated positively with the human footprint index (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). This study underscores the variability in microplastic pollution in global lakes and the role of human activities and environmental factors, offering a valuable reference for future research.

Blood-brain barrier damage accelerates the accumulation of micro- and nanoplastics in the human central nervous system.

The widespread use of plastics has led to increased micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) pollution, resulting in significant environmental challenges and concerns about potential harm to human health. This study investigated whether certain types of MNPs can accumulate in the human central nervous system (CNS) and trigger inflammatory responses, particularly after CNS infection. Our analysis of 28 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 28 patients with or without CNS infection revealed that only polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were capable of selectively entering the human CNS. Concentrations of PP and PE were positively correlated with the CSF albumin index. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were significantly increased in patients with CNS infections. However, concentrations of MNPs were not significantly associated with CSF levels of IL-6 or IL-8. Overall, these findings suggest that specific MNPs can penetrate the human CNS, especially after impairment of the blood-brain barrier. Notably, MNPs derived from commonly used plastics did not significantly induce or exacerbate inflammation in the human CNS.

Biodegradable taro stem cellulose aerogel: A simple approach for adsorbing microplastics and dyestuffs contaminants.

Water pollution and agricultural waste are pressing global issues. Herein, a biomass aerogel derived from waste taro stem microcrystalline cellulose (TS-MCC) was fabricated, in which, the effects of cellulose amount, cross-linker content, pre-freezing protocols on the aerogel's property were studied. The optimized TS-MCC2.0 aerogel exhibited a hierarchical porous structure with good mechanical property (65.04 kPa) and adsorption capacities, with the qm towards microplastics (Polystyrene, PS) and dye (Congo red, CR) being 418.6 mg/g and 951.51 mg/g at 298 K, respectively. Meanwhile, it exhibited good applicability under different pH (3-11) and ionic strength environments, as well as the retained notably simultaneous adsorption ability even under mixed contaminant systems. The mathematical models suggested that the adsorption of PS and CR both fitted pseudo-second-order kinetics, and the adsorption isotherms could be described by the Langmuir and Freundlich models, respectively. Hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, and π-π interactions were inferred as the main adsorption mechanisms towards PS and CR according to Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Moreover, the adsorption efficiencies were 92.37 % for PS and 88.34 % for CR after 5 reuse cycles. Therefore, this study provides a green aerogel sorbent for adsorbing microplastics and dyes contaminants.

Microplastics in faeces of European shags Gulosus aristotelis in central Norway.

Plastic pollution is an increasing problem in the marine environment, and microplastics are frequently ingested by wildlife, including seabirds. Faeces are an increasingly used matrix to quantify egested microplastics. We investigated microplastics in 36 faeces samples from chicks of European shags (Gulosus aristotelis) sampled at Sklinna, central Norway in 2021. Small particles <300 µm (62 %) dominated the material. Out of 465 particles measured with Raman spectroscopy, 32 were identified as microplastics (21 fragments, 4 fibres). 69.4 % of faecal samples contained microplastics, with on average 17 microplastic particles per g faeces dry weight. Sixteen of the 36 samples originated from siblings sampled within the same hour, and plastic loads of these samples were more similar to each other compared to those from other individuals. This suggests that a sample from one chick is representative for all siblings at a given moment in time and proofs parental transfer of MP.

Eco-environmental responses of Eichhornia crassipes rhizobacteria community to co-stress of per(poly)fluoroalkyl substances and microplastics.

The stabilization of rhizobacteria communities plays a crucial role in sustaining healthy macrophyte growth. In light of increasing evidence of combined pollution from microplastics (MPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), Selecting typical floating macrophyte as a case, this study explored their impacts using hydroponic simulations and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. A total of 31 phyla, 77 classes, 172 orders, 237 families, 332 genera, and 125 rhizobacteria species were identified. Proteobacteria (16.19% to 57.70%) was the dominant phylum, followed by Bacteroidota (12.34% to 44.48%) and Firmicutes (11.31% to 36.36%). In terms of α-diversity, polystyrene (PS) MPs and PFASs significantly impacted community abundance (ACE and PD-tree) rather than evenness (Shannon and Pielou) compared to the control. ßMNTD and ßNTI analyses revealed that PS MPs enhanced deterministic assembly processes driven by F-53B and GenX, while mitigating those induced by PFOA and PFOS. Contamination treatments narrowed the ecological niche breadths at both the phylum (5% (PS) to 49.91% (PS & PFOA)) and genus levels (8% (PS) to 63.96% (PS & PFOA)). Functionally, MPs and PFASs decreased the anaerobic capacity and ammonia nitrogen utilization of rhizosphere bacteria. This study enhances our understanding of the microecological responses of macrophyte-associated bacteria to combined MP and PFAS contamination and offers insights into ecological restoration strategies and mitigating associated environmental risks.

Hydrodynamic driven microplastics in Dongting Lake, China: Quantification of the flux and transportation.

Hydrodynamic conditions have a significant effect on the fate of microplastics (MPs). Moreover, research on the relation between hydrodynamic conditions and MPs in freshwater environments is critical and unquantified. In this regard, herein, a methodological framework integrating system monitoring with numerical simulation has been developed and successfully implemented for Dongting Lake, a large freshwater lake fed by multiple rivers. According to time-series monitoring and hydrological data, 199.29/128.50 trillion MP items entered or exited Dongting Lake in 2021. In addition, a coupled numerical model identified four key areas of MP accumulation, which overlap with nature reserves and agricultural zones, posing considerable risks to the ecological gene pool and food security. The quantitative results obtained using the developed framework enable calculation of MP inflow and outflow fluxes and facilitate analysis of MP transportation. Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for preventing and controlling MP pollution in Dongting Lake and offers valuable insights for future research on related issues in freshwater ecosystems.

Revealing the bioavailability and phytotoxicity of different particle size microplastics on diethyl phthalate (DEP) in rye (Secale cereale L.).

Understanding how widely distributed microplastics (MPs) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) interact with crops remains limited, despite their significant implications for human exposure. We used physiology, transcriptomics, adsorption kinetics, and computational chemistry to assess rye's molecular response to two sizes of MPs (200 nm and 5 µm) and DEP, both individually and in combination. Findings systematically highlight potential ecological risks from MPs and DEP, with ecotoxicity ranking as follows: CK (Control Check) < LMPs < SMPs < DEP < LMPs+DEP < SMPs+DEP. Fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy revealed SMP's translocation ability in rye and its potential to disrupt leaf cells. DEP increased the electronegativity on MPs, which enhanced their uptake by rye. DEP adsorption by MPs in hydroponics reduced DEP bioavailability in rye (18.17-46.91 %). Molecular docking studies showed DEP interacted with chlorophyll, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferases proteins' active sites. Transcriptomic analysis identified significant up-regulation of genes linked to mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, phytohormones, and antioxidant systems in rye exposed to MPs and DEP, correlating with physiological changes. These findings deepen the understanding of how MPs can accumulate and translocate within rye, and their adsorption to DEP raises crop safety issues of greater environmental risk.