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Comparative ecotoxicity of a reduced graphene–polypropylene nanocomposite and its components to the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber (Crustacea)

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Valentina Perc, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Tina Petrišič, Tina Petrišič, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Sara Novak, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Andraž Dolar, Valentina Perc, Damjana Drobne Tina Petrišič, Sara Novak, Sara Novak, Sara Novak, Andraž Dolar, Tina Petrišič, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Andraž Dolar, Tina Petrišič, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Tina Petrišič, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Tina Petrišič, Damjana Drobne Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Tina Petrišič, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Damjana Drobne Valentina Perc, Damjana Drobne Valentina Perc, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Valentina Perc, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Sara Novak, Sara Novak, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Tina Petrišič, Tina Petrišič, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Tina Petrišič, Tina Petrišič, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Valentina Perc, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Julio Gomez, Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Julio Gomez, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Andraž Dolar, Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Elvira Villaro, Andraž Dolar, Elvira Villaro, Mónica Martínez-Junquera, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Mónica Martínez-Junquera, Damjana Drobne Sara Novak, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Sara Novak, Damjana Drobne Carlota Eguiluz García, Carlota Eguiluz García, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Mateja Štefančič, Mateja Štefančič, Damjana Drobne Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Valentina Perc, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne Damjana Drobne

Summary

Scientists tested tiny plastic particles made from a new type of plastic mixed with graphene (a super-thin carbon material) to see how toxic they are to small soil creatures. They found that while the graphene-plastic mix was less harmful than pure graphene alone, it was still more toxic than regular plastic particles. This research matters because these new "super plastics" are becoming more common in products, but we don't yet know how safe they are when they break down into microplastics in our environment.

Graphene-enhanced polymer composites are attracting interest due to the unique properties of graphene-related nanomaterials. However, their environmental impact, especially as sources of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), remains underexplored compared to conventional polymers. Therefore, comprehensive environmental risk assessments of advanced polymer nanocomposites are needed. This study assessed the toxic potential of reduced graphene oxide-enhanced polypropylene (PP-rGO) using a multi-biomarker approach, focusing on how rGO alters the ecotoxicological profile of polypropylene (PP). Terrestrial isopods were exposed for 14 days to soil mixed with PP and PP-rGO MNPs at 1% and 10% w/w, and to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) alone at 0.1% and 1% w/w. The lowest tested concentrations represent environmentally relevant levels of MNPs in soil, while the highest concentrations reflect a worst-case scenario. Organism-level toxicity was evaluated by monitoring survival, body weight change, and moulting frequency. Sublethal stress responses were evaluated in isolated isopod haemolymph using cellular and biochemical biomarkers, including haemocyte counts, haemocyte viability, and phenoloxidase-like activity. In addition, electron transport system activity, glutathione S-transferase activity, and acetylcholinesterase activity were assessed in whole-animal homogenates. At 1%, PP-rGO triggered sublethal stress without affecting survival. At 10%, it caused low toxicity and altered haemocyte profiles. rGO induced high toxicity at 1%, impacting survival and moulting. PP alone caused stress only at 10%. Embedding rGO in a polymer matrix reduces its toxicity compared to free rGO but still enhances PP effects. These findings highlight the need for thorough environmental risk assessment of nanocomposites.

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