Cigarette leachates: a neglected threat to the growth of Salvinia auriculata Aublet

Abstract Every year, trillions of cigarette butts are discarded in public areas and may enter aquatic ecosystems. In this context, the research assessed the impact of leachates from smoked (SB) and unsmoked cigarette butts (USB) and filters (SF; USF) on the growth of Salvinia auriculata Aublet at four concentrations: 1.0, 1.75, 2.5, and 5.0 cigarette butts/filters per liter, with ten replicates per treatment ( n = 10). S. auriculata growth was monitored weekly over 9 weeks, under controlled temperature (25 °C), through photographic records, and leaf area was quantified using ImageJ software. The growth coefficient (μ) and doubling time were obtained by fitting leaf area data to a logistic model. Cigarette leachate reduced S. auriculata mean leaf area by up to 72%, growth coefficient by up to 86%, and increased the doubling time by up to 8.5 times. These results highlight that leachates from both cigarette butts and filters induce severe phytotoxicity in S. auriculata , triggering physiological and morphological changes that can lead to plant mortality. This evidence underscores the urgent need for improved public awareness campaigns and management strategies targeting the proper disposal of cigarette waste.