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Artificial UVC-aging process aggravates the toxicity of polystyrene microplastics to zebrafish, especially females
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When plastic microparticles get "weathered" by sunlight, they may become even more harmful than fresh plastic bits—at least in fish. Researchers found that sun-aged microplastics caused more oxidative stress, gut bacteria imbalances, and metabolic problems in zebrafish, with female fish hit hardest, suggesting that plastics floating around in lakes and rivers may become more toxic over time as they break down, not less. Since these microplastics come from the same everyday plastics we use, this raises questions about whether prolonged sun exposure could similarly affect microplastics' impact on human health.
The ecological risks of microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized. However, the role of the MP aging process on risks in freshwater ecosystems remains unknown. In this study, 500 nm polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) were subjected to artificial UVC (254 nm) irradiation for six months to induce accelerated photo-oxidation. Adult zebrafish were exposed to pristine and UVC-aged PS-MPs for 21 days to evaluate health related indicators. UVC photodegradation significantly altered the physicochemical properties of PS-MPs, including roughening of surfaces and generation of new oxygen-containing functional groups. Exposure to aged PS-MPs produced stronger biological responses than pristine particles, as indicated by integrated biomarker response (IBR) analysis, with elevated oxidative stress and changes in humoral immune indicators. Multi-omics analysis revealed that both pristine and aged PS-MPs induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and hepatic metabolic disorder, while the aged PS-MP exposure group showed broader metabolic perturbations in female zebrafish, including alterations in glycolipid and amino-acid metabolism pathways and enhanced oxidative stress responses. Correlation analysis indicated close associations among gut microbial shifts and metabolic alterations. Our results highlight the enhanced toxicity of aged PS-MPs on freshwater organisms and emphasize the importance of considering the aging process in toxicological assessments of MPs in freshwater systems.
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Photoaged microplastics induce neurotoxicity via oxidative stress and abnormal neurotransmission in zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio)
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This study found that microplastics aged by sunlight were more toxic to zebrafish larvae than fresh microplastics, causing brain damage and abnormal behavior. The sun-aged particles triggered greater oxidative stress and disrupted neurotransmitter systems in the developing fish. This is concerning because most microplastics in the environment have been weathered by sunlight, meaning the real-world health risks may be greater than lab studies using fresh plastics suggest.
Photoaging enhanced the adverse effects of polyamide microplastics on the growth, intestinal health, and lipid absorption in developing zebrafish
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Researchers found that polyamide microplastics became significantly more harmful to developing zebrafish after being aged by simulated sunlight, shrinking in size and generating nanoplastic fragments. The aged particles caused greater damage to intestinal health, impaired lipid absorption, and stunted growth compared to unaged microplastics. The study demonstrates that environmental weathering can substantially increase the biological risks posed by microplastics in aquatic ecosystems.
PhotodegradationElevated the Toxicity of PolystyreneMicroplastics to Grouper (Epinephelus moara) throughDisrupting Hepatic Lipid Homeostasis
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UV light exposure made polystyrene microplastics more toxic to juvenile fish than either fresh or commercial polystyrene microbeads. Photodegradation reduced particle size, created nanoplastics, and caused surface oxidation, all of which increased harm to fish — suggesting that environmental weathering of plastic pollution may make it more dangerous over time.
Photolytic degradation elevated the toxicity of polylactic acid microplastics to developing zebrafish by triggering mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis
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Researchers found that biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics become more toxic to zebrafish after being broken down by sunlight over 90 days. UV exposure shrank the particles and generated nanoplastics, which were harder for the fish to expel from their bodies compared to the original material. The degraded PLA triggered oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in developing zebrafish, suggesting that the environmental breakdown of biodegradable plastics may actually increase their harmful effects.
Combined developmental toxicity and endocrine disruption of diisobutyl phthalate and polyethylene microplastics in Zebrafish
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Scientists found that when microplastics break down in the environment (from sun exposure, similar to what happens in oceans and rivers), they become more harmful and actually make a common plastic chemical called DIBP more toxic to developing fish—affecting their growth and hormone balance. Interestingly, fresh, unweathered microplastics had the opposite effect, partly soaking up the chemical and reducing its harm. This matters because it suggests that as plastic pollution ages in the real world, it may become a bigger health risk than lab studies using "fresh" plastics suggest, which is important since both microplastics and phthalates are already found in human
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