Micro/nanoplastics–metal(loid) co-exposure in rice: evidence, mechanisms, and food-safety implications
- 1College of Landscape Architecture, Changchun University
- 2Agronomy College, Shenyang Agricultural University
- 3Key Laboratory of Biochar and Soil Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Abstract
Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) and metal(loid)s frequently co-occur in rice agroecosystems, where legacy metal(loid) contamination and continuing plastic inputs may jointly threaten soil quality and rice safety. Co-exposure complicates risk assessment because rice responses cannot always be predicted from MNP-only or metal(loid)-only treatments. To address this, the review integrates mechanistic findings into a mixture- and context-dependent synthesis linking MNP traits and metal(loid) identity/speciation to soil–rhizosphere processes, plant uptake/partitioning, and grain food-safety outcomes. Metal(loid) exposure can disrupt growth by altering metal(loid) uptake, nutrient homeostasis, and redox regulation, whereas MNPs can modify root development, soil–root interfacial processes, and microbially mediated metal(loid) cycling. Consequently, co-exposure may generate responses with directions and magnitudes that depend on metal(loid) speciation, bioavailability, tissue partitioning, and plant performance, varying with metal(loid) identity, MNP properties, exposure dose, and environmental conditions. This review synthesizes current evidence on soil and rhizosphere processes, root uptake and internal transport, plant responses, and grain food-safety implications, with emphasis on Cd, inorganic As, Hg/MeHg, and Pb. It further identifies key evidence gaps, particularly the limited mature-grain and field-based evidence, and proposes integrated management strategies that reduce metal(loid) bioavailability and concentrations in mature rice grain, while avoiding increased MNP burdens, yield penalties, or deterioration in grain quality.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026micronanoplasticsmetalloid,
title = {{Micro/nanoplastics–metal(loid) co-exposure in rice: evidence, mechanisms, and food-safety implications}},
author = {Tiansheng Liu and Wenjia Li and Munan Tang and Yuran Wang and Jianyu Wang and Yuxiang Zhang and Zunqi Liu},
journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1963280},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1963280/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Micro/nanoplastics–metal(loid) co-exposure in rice: evidence, mechanisms, and food-safety implications
AU - Tiansheng Liu
AU - Wenjia Li
AU - Munan Tang
AU - Yuran Wang
AU - Jianyu Wang
AU - Yuxiang Zhang
AU - Zunqi Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Frontiers in Plant Science
DO - 10.3389/fpls.2026.1963280
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1963280/full
AB - Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) and metal(loid)s frequently co-occur in rice agroecosystems, where legacy metal(loid) contamination and continuing plastic inputs may jointly threaten soil quality and rice safety. Co-exposure complicates risk assessment because rice responses cannot always be predicted from MNP-only or metal(loid)-only treatments. To address this, the review integrates mechanistic findings into a mixture- and context-dependent synthesis linking MNP traits and metal(loid) identity/speciation to soil–rhizosphere processes, plant uptake/partitioning, and grain food-safety outcomes. Metal(loid) exposure can disrupt growth by altering metal(loid) uptake, nutrient homeostasis, and redox regulation, whereas MNPs can modify root development, soil–root interfacial processes, and microbially mediated metal(loid) cycling. Consequently, co-exposure may generate responses with directions and magnitudes that depend on metal(loid) speciation, bioavailability, tissue partitioning, and plant performance, varying with metal(loid) identity, MNP properties, exposure dose, and environmental conditions. This review synthesizes current evidence on soil and rhizosphere processes, root uptake and internal transport, plant responses, and grain food-safety implications, with emphasis on Cd, inorganic As, Hg/MeHg, and Pb. It further identifies key evidence gaps, particularly the limited mature-grain and field-based evidence, and proposes integrated management strategies that reduce metal(loid) bioavailability and concentrations in mature rice grain, while avoiding increased MNP burdens, yield penalties, or deterioration in grain quality.
SN - 1664-462X
ER -