Implications of Microplastic Pollution on Green Bean Growth and Production
Date
2021-11-29
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Florida Southern College
Abstract
The implications of microplastic pollution on varying ecosystems and the organisms within them have become an area of concern and major research focus. The presence of microplastic pollution within soils has the ability to alter some soil characteristics, as well as plant growth. This study assessed the effects of microplastic polluted soil on green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) grown within a greenhouse. Control and polluted green beans were grown in the same conditions, except for the microplastic mixture added to the experimental group. After the beans fully germinated, shoot length, bean production, and produced bean weights were recorded. Although the data between the two groups did not vary significantly, this study used an organism familiar to a wide scope of people. In general, our results were not consistent with published data, in that the polluted group did not display positive or negative implications as a result of the pollutant’s presence. Additionally, the need for further research using a variety of organisms as well as selected variables was highlighted.
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Keywords
Microplastics, Soil pollution, Soil productivity, Green bean