0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Human Health Effects Marine & Wildlife Remediation Sign in to save

Breaking new ground: Gadolinium and Microplastics co-exposure and biochemical alterations in marine clam Donax trunculus

Aquatic Toxicology 2025 2 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 58 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Giovanni Libralato, Massimiliano Scalici, Giovanni Libralato, Silvia Secco, Silvia Secco, Marco Trifuoggi, Massimiliano Scalici, Giovanni Libralato, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Marta Cunha, Rosa Freitas, Rosa Freitas, Rosa Freitas, Silvia Secco, Silvia Secco, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Marco Trifuoggi, Marco Trifuoggi, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Giovanni Libralato, Carla Leite, Carla Leite, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Massimiliano Scalici, Marco Trifuoggi, Rosa Freitas, Massimiliano Scalici, Rosa Freitas, Massimiliano Scalici, Rosa Freitas, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Massimiliano Scalici, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Massimiliano Scalici, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Giovanni Libralato, Marco Trifuoggi, Marco Trifuoggi, Giovanni Libralato, Silvia Secco, Giovanni Libralato, Rosa Freitas, Giovanni Libralato, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Marco Trifuoggi, Massimiliano Scalici, Marco Trifuoggi, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Marco Trifuoggi, Giovanni Libralato, Massimiliano Scalici, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Antonella Giarra, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Giovanni Libralato, Massimiliano Scalici, Marco Trifuoggi, Massimiliano Scalici, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Giovanni Libralato, Massimiliano Scalici, Giovanni Libralato, Giovanni Libralato, Massimiliano Scalici, Giovanni Libralato, Giovanni Libralato, Marco Trifuoggi, Rosa Freitas, Massimiliano Scalici, Giovanni Libralato, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Giovanni Libralato, Giovanni Libralato, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Marco Trifuoggi, Massimiliano Scalici, Rosa Freitas, Giovanni Libralato, Rosa Freitas, Marco Trifuoggi, Rosa Freitas, Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Rosa Freitas, Massimiliano Scalici, Marco Trifuoggi, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Giovanni Libralato, Rosa Freitas, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Giovanni Libralato, Marco Trifuoggi, Giovanni Libralato, Giovanni Libralato, Massimiliano Scalici, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Massimiliano Scalici, Massimiliano Scalici, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Rosa Freitas, Rosa Freitas, Giovanni Libralato, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares Giovanni Libralato, Giovanni Libralato, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares

Summary

Researchers examined the combined effects of the rare earth element gadolinium and microplastics on marine clams and found that the mixture produced different toxicity patterns than either pollutant alone. The co-exposure affected the clams' energy metabolism, antioxidant defenses, and nervous system function in complex ways. The findings suggest that when microplastics interact with other environmental contaminants, the combined impact on marine organisms can be unpredictable and warrants further study.

Body Systems

Toxicity of single rare earth elements (REEs) or microplastics (MPs) on organisms has been reported widely, however, their combined toxicity on bivalves has limited investigation. In this study, the effects of gadolinium (Gd, 500 μg/L), microplastics (MPs, Ø ≤ 150 μm, with 0.1 μg/L and 100 μg/L) and their mixture (0.1 MPs μg/L + 500 Gd μg/L; 100 MPs μg/L + 500 Gd μg/L) were evaluated in the clam Donax trunculus under laboratory conditions. The impacts were assessed using a suite of biomarkers related to metabolism and energy reserves content, antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes, cellular damage and neurotoxicity. In the medium, at 500 μg/L Gd, the concentration measured after exposure was similar to the nominal concentration, whereas in the mix treatments it decreased, suggesting the adsorption of Gd onto the MPs. Regarding oxidative stress responses, MPs and Gd alone elicited distinct responses, with MPs showing mostly non-significant or inhibitory effects, while Gd increased oxidative stress. When both contaminants were combined, MPs acted as carriers for Gd, demonstrating their "Trojan horse" capability. As a consequence, the mix treatments induced the most severe oxidative stress. The toxicity order in clams was: 0.1 MPs µg/L ≈ 100 MPs µg/L < 500 Gd µg/L < 0.1 MPs µg/L + 500 Gd µg/L < 100 MPs µg/L + 500 Gd µg/L. This study advances understanding of the combined toxicity of MPs and Gd on marine bivalves, highlighting the need for further research on their interactions and broader toxic effects.

Sign in to start a discussion.

Share this paper