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Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastic exposure in Telescopium telescopium : accumulation, histopathology and oxidative stress biomarker activity
Summary
Scientists exposed a mangrove sea snail to PVC microplastics (a common plastic found in pipes and packaging) and found that higher doses caused real damage: the plastic built up in the snail's gut, harmed its digestive organs, and triggered stress responses in its cells. This matters because these snails are part of the food chain and ecosystems humans depend on, if microplastics are damaging marine life at the cellular level, it raises concerns about what these same particles might be doing inside our own bodies, since we're exposed to microplastics through seafood, water, and other everyday sources.
This study investigates the effects of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics on Telescopium telescopium, a gastropod from mangrove ecosystems. Although microplastics’ impact on ecosystems has been widely discussed, little is known about PVC effects on T. telescopium. We exposed specimens to control conditions and to PVC concentrations of 4 mg/L, 40 mg/L, and 400 mg/L for 4 and 28 days. Results show that the highest concentration led to significant PVC accumulation in the digestive tract, with an average of 68.5 µg per individual. Semi-quantitative histopathological analysis of the digestive gland revealed escalating damage: the histopathological index increased from 34.5 in controls to 66, 87.5, and 116.5 at 4, 40, and 400 mg/L, respectively. Oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, CAT, GPx) increased markedly at 400 mg/L, reflecting heightened stress. Our findings underscore the physiological impact of PVC and indicate possible detoxification and adaptive responses in T. telescopium.