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Species-specific biomarker responses reveal differential toxicity of microplastic type and concentration in Folsomia candida and Sinella curviseta
Summary
Scientists exposed tiny soil creatures called springtails to different types of microplastics—including car tire particles and plastic-based materials—and found that car tire debris caused the most stress on their bodies, more so than other plastic types. This matters because it shows that not all microplastics are equally harmful, and the widespread tire particles that wash off roads into soil and waterways may deserve closer attention as a pollution source affecting the ecosystems we depend on for food and clean water.
Microplastics are recognised as terrestrial pollutants, but their sublethal effects on soil fauna remain poorly understood. We examined biochemical responses to three environmentally relevant microplastic types in two Collembola species, Folsomia candida and Sinella curviseta. Juveniles were exposed for 28 days in standardised soil to 0-10,000mgkg of polystyrene-HBCD, car tyre abrasion or a starch-based bioplastic blend. Analysed biomarker responses included acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase activities; glutathione, reactive oxygen species and carbohydrate concentrations. Multivariate analysis showed that Species explained 84% of biomarker variation, whereas Type and Concentration had weak but significant effects. Car tyre particles induced the strongest glutathione S-transferase, glutathione, and reactive oxygen species responses in both species. Polystyrene-HBCD stimulated detoxification responses, while the starch blend caused weaker changes. Concentration effects were significant but non-linear and species-specific. These findings demonstrate species- and polymer-specific responses and support multivariate biomarkers as indicators of stress in soil invertebrates.