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Stage-specific ecotoxicological mechanisms in Artemia: Physiological disruption, immune disorder, and gut microbiota disturbance in response to nanoplastics stress
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) harm baby brine shrimp differently depending on their growth stage, causing cell damage, immune system problems, and disrupting gut bacteria—with one early developmental period being especially vulnerable. While this study was done in shrimp, not humans, it matters because these same nanoplastics are showing up in our food, water, and even our own bodies, and this research suggests that timing of exposure could make certain life stages more susceptible to plastic pollution's harmful effects.
Nanoplastics (NPs), characterized by their diminutive size and extensive specific surface area, readily accumulate in marine environments and propagate through the food web, inducing oxidative stress and immunotoxicity in marine organisms and thereby threatening ecosystem stability. Although the ecotoxicological effects of NPs on marine zooplankton have garnered significant attention, the stage-specific toxicity mechanisms across their developmental lifecycle remain largely elusive. This study used Artemia as a model to investigate toxicity of 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs; 0, 0.5, 5, 10 µg/mL) across three continuous developmental stages: CN (Cysts to Nauplius), NM (Nauplius to Metanauplius) and MJ (Metanauplius to Juveniles). Physiological responses, oxidative stress, inflammatory gene expression and gut microbiota were analyzed. Results showed that PSNPs induced acute ROS and MDA accumulation in the CN stage, triggering initial oxidative damage. The TLR-NF-κB-AsIL-17-AfRgly1 pathway was activated, the NM stage acted as a sensitive window, with compensatory failure, acute inflammation and sharply reduced feeding and growth. 16 S rRNA sequencing revealed stage-dependent gut microbiota dysbiosis, in which CN showed inhibition then recovery, NM sustained decline, and MJ low-dose adaptation with high-dose damage. This study systematically elucidates the dynamic responses of Artemia to NPs across different developmental stages from individual, cellular, molecular, and microecological dimensions, providing novel insights and theoretical bases for assessing the ecological risks of marine nanoplastic pollution.
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Nanoplastics Elicit Stage-Specific Physiological, Biochemical, and Gut Microbiome Responses in a Freshwater Mussel
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Researchers exposed freshwater mussels at different growth stages to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles caused intestinal damage, increased oxidative stress, and disrupted gut bacteria communities. Adult mussels were more vulnerable than younger ones, showing greater biochemical disruption at lower concentrations. The study suggests that nanoplastic pollution may pose different levels of risk depending on an organism's life stage, with mature animals potentially being more susceptible.
Impacts of nanoplastics on Artemia franciscana larvae: effects on growth and proteins responses
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This laboratory study found that nanoplastic particles reduced growth and feeding rates in Artemia franciscana (brine shrimp) larvae in a dose-dependent manner. The results demonstrate that nanoplastics — the smallest and potentially most biologically active plastic particles — can harm early-life-stage marine crustaceans at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Comparative toxicity of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene nanoplastics on Artemia franciscana nauplii: a multidimensional assessment
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Researchers compared the toxic effects of three common plastic types — polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene — in nanoplastic form on brine shrimp larvae. They found that all three types caused harm, but polystyrene nanoplastics were the most toxic across multiple biological measures. The study provides the first direct comparison showing that the chemical composition of nanoplastics significantly influences their toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Assessing the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on shrimp growth, physiology, antioxidant, immune responses and gut microbiota
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This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics affect shrimp health, covering impacts on growth, immune function, gut bacteria, and antioxidant defenses. Researchers found that plastic exposure can impair shrimp physiology through multiple pathways, with implications for both aquaculture productivity and seafood safety. The study highlights the need for more research on how plastic pollution in coastal waters threatens shrimp populations that are important for both ecosystems and human nutrition.
Assessing the Biodistribution and Toxicity of Fluorescently Dyed Nano-Polystyrene in Artemia salina Nauplii
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Researchers tracked the distribution and toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics in brine shrimp, a key model organism for ecotoxicology. They found that nanoplastics accumulated in the gut and, at higher concentrations, caused gut deformities, with the lethal concentration decreasing by nearly half between 24 and 48 hours of exposure. The findings suggest that nanoplastics may also impair the salt gland, affecting osmoregulation and energy allocation in marine organisms.
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