In this study concentration of toxic elements as, Cd, and Pb were determined in different soil types and belonging orchid species Anacamptis morio vital parts, in order to examine accumulation patterns and provide new insights about the potential use of this orchid in bioremediation technology. Soils developed on limestone, serpentine, and the chert were subjected to the BCR sequential extraction. Samples of orchid roots and tubers, as underground parts, and stems, leaves, and inflorescences, as above-ground organs, were also analyzed for the content of as, Cd and Pb. During this research, it was observed that metal content in soil is directly proportional to its content in the plant, more specifically in roots, which suggests that A. morio can potentially be used in the phytostabilization of contaminated sites. Values for BCF factors showed Cd immobilization in roots regardless of the soil type. A certain level of arsenic was transferred from roots to leaves indicating the potential for accumulation of this element into aboveground organs. Assessment of the phytoremediation potential of this orchid or another plant species from diverse environments is important as it provides information about the possibility of their future application in environmental remediation programs.

Plastic waste (PW) and microplastics (MPs) pollution represent one of the main ecological challenges and thus attract society's increasing attention. The exponential growth of plastics' presence and its small (1 μm – 5 mm) particles (MPs) in the environment and inhabiting species is a consequence of linear economy employment. The circular economy has been proposed as the promising route to using plastics more sustainably, and its implementation in the plastic management system is imposed to reduce MPs release. As MPs are emitted in all phases of the plastic life cycle, actions at all levels of the value chain are necessary. Prioritizing the entire plastic value chain also became the goal of more recent plastic pollution regulations, contrary to the previous ones, primarily prohibiting particular plastic items. The microplastic minimization strategy follows an upside-down pyramid, beginning with prevention, then reducing, reusing, recycling, recovering, and finally disposal, which is the least desired alternative. New technologies development for synthetic polymer production and remediation technologies innovations are another key component of the circular economy model. This study outlines microplastics' primary and secondary sources, summarizes the current methods for MPs elimination from different media along with their benefits and drawbacks, and highlights the importance of circular economy principles employment to minimize the MPs' pollution and their possible environmental repercussions.

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread environmental pollutants and have emerged as a growing global concern. In soil ecosystems, MPs frequently coexist with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), yet their combined effects on soil–plant interactions and phytoremediation processes remain insufficiently explored. This field-based study investigated the occurrence of MPs in urban soils from four Serbian cities and assessed their influence on the uptake of PTEs - copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and strontium (Sr) - by Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. MPs were extracted from soil using an optimized density separation method, while total (aqua regia) and phytoavailable (EDTA-extractable) fractions of PTEs were quantified in both soils and plant tissues. Maximum MPs abundance was recorded in Bor — 500 ± 100 MPs kg-1.The highest total concentrations of Cu (516.14 µg g⁻¹), Mn (553.46 µg g⁻¹), and Sr (173.69 µg g⁻¹) were detected in soils from Bor. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicated moderate to heavy contamination levels. CuEDTA accounted for UP to 50.7% of CuAR, MnEDTA for 34.4% of MnAR, and SrEDTA 27.3% of SrAR. After the uptake, C. bursa-pastoris primarily translocated the elements to the aerial parts, indicating shoot accumulation as the dominant strategy. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct clustering of samples by city, while Spearman correlation analysis highlighted significant associations between MPs and PTEs mobility in the soil-plant system. Strongest correlations were found between MPs phytoavailable Cu fraction (ρ =+0.49) and Cu content in shoots (ρ =+0.56). The highest BCF values were determined for Sr, ranging from 2,40 (SM) to 5,41 (BO). PTEs were mainly transferred to the shoots. TF range for Cu was 0.54 (BO) – 1.48 (VR), 0,68 (BO) to 1,42 (VR) for Mn, and 0,76 (BO) to 1,34 (VR) for Sr. Strong correlations among MPs abundance and Cu mobility and accumulation in shoots (ρ = +0.56), and Sr bioaccumulation potential (BCF up to 5.41), highlight the role of MPs in modifying element transfer within urban soil–plant systems and consequent phytoremediation potential.