We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) harness copper presence and promote impairments in early zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae: Developmental, biochemical, transcriptomic approaches and nontargeted metabolomics approaches
Summary
This zebrafish study found that polystyrene microplastics combined with copper produced worse toxic effects than either pollutant alone, causing developmental problems, oxidative stress, immune disruption, and nerve damage in larvae. The combination also disrupted the fish's metabolism in ways that neither pollutant caused independently. This is concerning because microplastics readily absorb heavy metals like copper in the environment, meaning organisms are often exposed to both together.
Due to their large specific surface area and strong hydrophobicity, microplastics (MPs) are highly susceptible to adsorb environmental pollutants, of which heavy metals (HMs) are the most representative inorganic pollutants. However, there is controversy in different studies as to whether the toxic effects of the combined action of MPs and HMs on zebrafish larvae are antagonistic or synergistic. Herein, we firstly evaluated the combined effects of 10 μm polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) on zebrafish larvae after exposure for 96 h at two different concentrations (5 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L) and Cu2+ (0.05 mg/L). Our study primarily showed that the combined exposure of PS-MPs and Cu2+ could induce developmental toxicity, oxidative stress, immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Furthermore, LC/MS-based nontargeted metabolomics analysis demonstrated that the combined exposure of PS-MPs with Cu2+ induced metabolic disturbances. Furthermore, our results showed that the combined exposure of 10 μm PS-MPs with Cu2+ exhibited a synergistic effect on the toxicity of zebrafish larvae. In conclusion, this study provides a reference for future research related to combined exposure of PS-MPs and Cu2+ on fish.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Single and combined acute and subchronic toxic effects of microplastics and copper in zebrafish (Danio rerio) early life stages
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae to microplastics, copper, and their combinations to assess individual and combined toxic effects. They found that microplastics alone caused limited harm, but when combined with copper, the mixture produced altered biochemical responses and changes in gene expression. The study suggests that microplastics can modify the toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic organisms during early development.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and lipometabolic disturbance induced by the co-effect of polystyrene nanoplastics and copper impede early life stage development of zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Researchers found that co-exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and copper at environmentally relevant concentrations caused mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid metabolism disruption in zebrafish embryos, impairing early development and survival more severely than either contaminant alone.
Co-exposure of polystyrene nanoplastics and copper induces development toxicity and intestinal mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo and in vitro
When nanoplastics and copper were combined, they caused significantly worse intestinal damage in zebrafish and human gut cells than either pollutant alone. The nanoplastics carried extra copper into the digestive tract, triggering inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and harmful shifts in gut bacteria -- showing how microplastics can act as vehicles that amplify heavy metal toxicity in the gut.
Toxicological effects induced on early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio) after an acute exposure to microplastics alone or co-exposed with copper
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to microplastics alone and combined with copper to assess their joint toxicity during early development. They found that copper, both alone and combined with microplastics, reduced survival, increased oxidative stress, inhibited a key nervous system enzyme, and disrupted avoidance and social behaviors. The study suggests that microplastics may modulate copper toxicity in some biological endpoints, highlighting the importance of studying combined pollutant exposures during vulnerable developmental stages.
The Effects of Single and Combined Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics and Copper on the Behavior of Adult Zebrafish
Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics and copper ions affected zebrafish behavior when the fish were exposed to both pollutants simultaneously. The combination was more toxic than either pollutant alone, reducing the concentration needed to kill fish by up to 32%. Since nanoplastics and heavy metals commonly occur together in polluted water, their combined effects on aquatic life could increase the risks associated with consuming contaminated fish.