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Ecotoxicological Effects of Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics on Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Influenced by Key Environmental Parameters
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Scientists found that PVC microplastics, common in pipes and packaging, can damage aquatic worms' cells and DNA, especially when combined with sunlight, warmer water, or low oxygen. This matters because these worms are a key part of freshwater food chains, so plastic pollution harming them could ripple upward, affecting water quality and the broader ecosystems humans rely on.
ABSTRACT The toxicological effects of polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC MPs) on Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri have not been reported previously. Thus, in this study, the toxic effects of PVC MPs on L. hoffmeisteri and associated toxicological mechanisms were determined in indoor simulations during exposure for 21 days. According to the superoxide dismutase activity, the toxic effects of PVC MPs on L. hoffmeisteri were significantly mediated by dissolved oxygen, water temperature, ultraviolet light and the typical photocatalyst TiO 2 . Furthermore, under combined exposure to these four factors, PVC MPs led to changes in the protein content and respiratory index, and even caused DNA damage and tail breakage in L. hoffmeisteri . Moreover, HCl and OH· were identified and quantified as dominant compounds related to the toxic effects of PVC MPs on L. hoffmeisteri . These findings demonstrate that PVC MPs can significantly affect and hinder the growth of L. hoffmeisteri as emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems.
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Eco-toxicological Impact of Polypropylene Microplastics on the Earthworm Lampito mauritii: Effects on Growth and Vital Biomarkers
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Scientists found that polypropylene microplastics, a common plastic used in packaging and textiles, harm earthworms by reducing their body weight, reproduction, and causing cell stress at high exposure levels. Since earthworms are vital for healthy soil that grows our food, this suggests plastic pollution could quietly damage the ecosystems we depend on for agriculture.
Effects of polyvinyl chloride and low-density polyethylene microplastics on oxidative stress and mitochondria function of earthworm (Eisenia fetida)
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Researchers exposed earthworms to PVC and polyethylene microplastics in soil and measured the effects on oxidative stress and mitochondrial function. Both plastic types caused significant cellular damage, with PVC proving more harmful by generating higher levels of reactive oxygen species and more severely disrupting the energy-producing mitochondria. The study provides evidence that microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils could harm the earthworms that play a critical role in maintaining soil health.
Microplastic Moves Pollutants and Additives to Worms, Reducing Functions Linked to Health and Biodiversity
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Researchers exposed lugworms to sediment containing 5% microplastic pre-loaded with pollutants and plastic additives, confirming that ingested microplastic transfers chemicals into gut tissue — with nonylphenol uptake from PVC reducing immune cell function by over 60% and triclosan from PVC causing sediment-engineering impairment and mortality exceeding 55%.
Ecotoxicological Effects of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Microplastics on the Growth, Reproduction and Survival of Daphnia magna
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Researchers exposed Daphnia magna to polyvinyl chloride microplastics at different concentrations, alone and combined with two algal food sources, and measured growth, reproduction, and survival. PVC microplastics reduced fecundity and survival in a dose-dependent manner, with food source type modulating the severity of toxicity effects.
Unveiling the residual plastics and produced toxicity during biodegradation of polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics by mealworms (Larvae of Tenebrio molitor)
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Researchers used mealworms to biodegrade three common types of microplastics (polyethylene, polystyrene, and PVC) and found that while the worms did break down the plastics, they also produced potentially toxic residual particles. PVC was the hardest to degrade and caused the most harm to the mealworms, with the lowest survival rate. This study shows that while biological degradation of microplastics is possible, it can generate new pollutants that need to be addressed.
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