We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
How do the characteristics of polystyrene microplastics regulate their combined toxicity with nano ZnO? - Mechanism analysis based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics don't just pollute on their own, this study found that when tiny plastic particles team up with zinc oxide nanoparticles (common in sunscreens and cosmetics), they become more toxic together than either one alone, damaging cells by causing oxidative stress and letting more zinc leak into cells. The type of surface chemistry on the plastic and its size both mattered: smaller particles and certain chemical coatings made the combo more dangerous, suggesting that as microplastics mix with other pollutants in our environment, their health risks could be worse than current safety testing, which usually looks at one pollutant at a time, might sugg
Owing to the distinct physicochemical properties and strong adsorption capacity of microplastics (MPs), they can influence the environmental fate and toxicity of both themselves and coexisting contaminants. This study systematically investigated the combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs), with different functional groups (-COOH/-NH 2 ) and particle sizes in combined with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) toward Saccharomyces cerevisiae . FTIR analysis revealed that the adsorption of ZnO-NPs on PS-MPs underwent chemisorption, hydrogen bonding and coordination complexation. Dissolution kinetics further demonstrated that both PS-COOH MPs and PS-NH₂ MPs promoted ZnO-NPs dissolution, with PS-COOH MPs exhibiting a stronger effect. The toxicological study showed that PS-MPs and ZnO-NPs exhibited a synergistic toxicity toward Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Compared to the larger-sized PS-MPs, smaller-sized PS-MPs exerted stronger toxicity via their larger specific surface area. When PS-COOH MPs coexist with ZnO-NPs, PS-COOH MPs facilitated yeast cell adsorption via Zn 2+ -mediated charge neutralization, leading to morphological deformation. In contrast, PS-NH₂ MPs enhanced membrane permeability through electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions, promoting Zn 2+ influx and exacerbating cytological damage. Co-exposure significantly inhibited the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and induced oxidative damage in the cells. Notably, PS-COOH had a minor effect on intracellular Zn accumulation, whereas PS-NH₂ significantly enhanced it. The Zn accumulation showed a negative correlation with the particle size of PS-NH₂ MPs and a positive correlation with their dosage. This study elucidates the functional group-dependent toxicity mechanisms of PS-MPs and ZnO-NPs toward microorganisms, providing a theoretical basis for assessing the combined toxic effects of composite pollutants.
More Papers Like This
Combined toxicity evaluation of polystyrene nanoplastics and Nano-ZnO of distinctive morphology on human lung epithelial cells
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested how polystyrene nanoplastics combined with zinc oxide nanoparticles affect human lung cells, finding that the two pollutants interact differently depending on their shapes and concentrations. Zinc oxide primarily damaged cell membranes while nanoplastics mainly triggered oxidative stress and cell death, and their combined effects varied from additive to counteracting. This study is important because people are likely exposed to both nanoplastics and metal particles in polluted air, and understanding their combined effects is key to assessing real-world health risks.
Insights into the synergistic toxicity mechanisms caused by nano- and microplastics with triclosan using a dose-dependent functional genomics approach in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used yeast functional genomics to investigate the combined toxicity of polystyrene nano- and microplastics with the antimicrobial compound triclosan. They found that the combined exposure produced synergistic toxic effects that were more harmful than either contaminant alone, disrupting cellular processes related to membrane integrity and protein function. The study provides molecular-level evidence that microplastics may amplify the toxicity of co-occurring chemical pollutants.
Potential synergistic effects of microplastics and zinc oxide nanoparticles: biochemical and physiological analysis on Astacus leptodactylus
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed crayfish to microplastics and zinc oxide nanoparticles, both alone and combined, and found that the combination caused greater harm than either pollutant on its own, including increased liver stress markers and reduced antioxidant defenses. These findings suggest that microplastics may make other common environmental pollutants more toxic when they occur together in waterways that supply food and drinking water.
Toxicity Induced by Micro-and Nanoplastics through Oxidative Stress: The Role of Co-Exposure to Other Chemical Pollutants
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined how micro- and nanoplastics cause oxidative stress — a form of cellular damage — in living organisms, particularly when combined with other chemical pollutants in the environment. Co-exposure to microplastics and chemicals like pesticides or heavy metals tends to be more damaging than either pollutant alone.
Size-dependent toxicity of nano- and microplastics with zinc oxide nanoparticles in the marine rotifer Brachionus koreanus
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the combined toxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles with nano- and microplastics on marine rotifers. They found that the presence of plastic particles increased the toxicity of zinc oxide, with nanoplastics causing more harm than microplastics, and the combined exposure reduced reproduction and population growth. The study demonstrates that microplastics can amplify the harmful effects of other environmental contaminants on small marine organisms.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.