Toxicity of photoaged polyvinyl chloride microplastics to wheat seedling roots

Photoaging-prone and additive-rich polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) are abundant in the terrestrial environment, However, current knowledge about the effects of PVC-MPs on terrestrial plants is lacking. Herein, we investigated the physicochemical toxicity mechanisms of photoaged PVC-MP components, i.e. leachate (L), leached PVC-particles (P), and unleached PVC-MPs (UAMP), to wheat seedling roots. 108-h photoaged components were more detrimental to root growth than unaged ones, with root length decline by 3.56%− 7.45%, indicating enhanced ecotoxicity. Notably, 108-h aged UAMP displayed more pronounced inhibition to root architecture, nutrient content and root activity, and more significant stimulation on antioxidant systems compared to 108-h aged L and P. The abovementioned phenomena suggested the presence of a synergistic effect between physical damage from P and chemical harm from L. Surface adsorption experiments demonstrated that the adsorption of photoaging induced smaller particles caused physical damage to root system. Exposure treatment suggested that there was appreciable environmental risk posed by photoaged PVC-MP-derived additives, e.g., Irgafos 168-ox and Irganox 1076. Based on principal component analysis (PCA), additives from leachate played a greater role in UAMP ecotoxicity. Therefore, PVC-MP-derived additives require more consideration and put forward an important new aspect for the impact assessment of PVC-MPs in the environment.