Adsorption of different types of microplastic particles by macrophytes of Lake Baikal

Submerged macrophytes are capable of adsorbing microplastic particles on their surface. This can affect the vital activity of plants and associated aquatic communities. At present, no studies have been conducted on the distribution and concentration of microplastics on the macrophytes of Lake Baikal. In this study, the possibility of adsorption of different types of microplastic particles by representatives of different groups of macrophytes from Lake Baikal was investigated under experimental conditions. The study showed that all three studied macrophyte species (Myriophyllum spicatum, Draparnaldioides baicalensis and Stuckenia sp.) are able to adsorb microplastic particles on their surface. From 2.9 to 50.7% of fibers and from 42.8 to 95.1% of fragments from the prepared sample were adsorbed on macrophytes. Part of the adsorbed plastic (not exceeding 10% of the total amount) remains on the sample even after interaction with the hypersaline solution. At the same time, for D. baicalensis, a higher percentage of plastic particles remaining on the sample is noted, which is associated with the presence of a mucous sheath on the surface of the plant. The methodology used in this study can be effectively applied to assess the possibility of microplastic particle adsorption by macrophytes both in laboratory studies and for studies of the level of contamination of macrophytes with microplastic particles in natural conditions.