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Size-dependent ecotoxicological impacts of tire wear particles on zebrafish physiology and gut microbiota: Implications for aquatic ecosystem health
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Researchers found that tire wear particles, a major but often overlooked source of microplastic pollution, affect zebrafish health differently depending on particle size. Smaller particles caused more severe gut microbiome disruption, oxidative stress, and immune responses, suggesting that tire-derived microplastics in waterways may pose a greater health risk to aquatic life than previously recognized.
The ecological impact of tire wear particles (TWP), a significant source of microplastics pollution, is increasingly concerning, especially given their potential effects on the health of aquatic ecosystems. This study investigates the size-dependent ecotoxicological responses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to TWP exposure, focusing on physiological, metabolic, and microbial community impacts over a 15-day exposure period followed by a 15-day excretion period. Through integrated analysis of gut microbiome composition, liver transcriptomics, and host physiological markers, we found that smaller TWP particles (< 120 μm) induced oxidative stress, evidenced by increased SOD and MDA levels, and inhibited growth by reducing body mass and gut length. In contrast, larger TWP particles (250-380 μm) caused more substantial disruptions in lipid and xenobiotic metabolic pathways, as shown by significant downregulation of key metabolic genes (acads, cpt2_1, hadhaa), and alterations in the gut microbiome, including the enrichment of pathogenic genera, such as Enterococcus and Fusobacterium, while depleting beneficial microbes like Acinetobacter and Methyloversatilis. These microbiome shifts led to a more complex and potentially pathogenic gut microbiome. Notably, zebrafish displayed adaptive resilience during the excretion period, with significant recovery in body mass and microbial composition, emphasizing the adaptive capacity of aquatic organisms to pollutants. Our findings underscore the broader ecological risks posed by TWP, the pivotal role of gut microbiota in host resilience to pollutants, and the need for comprehensive management strategies addressing emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
Size- and duration-dependent toxicity of heavy vehicle tire wear particles in zebrafish
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to heavy vehicle tire wear particles of two sizes over 15 and 90 days, finding that smaller particles triggered broader systemic stress and gut microbiota dysbiosis while larger particles caused more localized damage, and that both sizes produced transgenerational effects including impaired offspring growth and disrupted growth hormone signaling.
Divergent impacts of leached versus pristine tire wear particles on zebrafish: From physiological stress to gut microbiota dysbiosis
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to tire wear particles that had been leached with water or methanol to remove chemical extractables, finding that leaching shifts the primary hazard from acute chemical toxicity toward chronic tissue damage and gut microbiome dysbiosis — with methanol-leached particles causing the most severe injury and collapsing gut microbial diversity by over 60%.
Mechanistic insight into the adverse outcome of tire wear and road particle leachate exposure in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae
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Researchers studied how chemicals that leach from tire wear particles affect developing zebrafish, a common lab organism. The tire particle chemicals damaged eye development and impaired swimming behavior, even at concentrations found in the real environment. Since tire wear is one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution, these findings raise concerns about the ecological impact of road runoff on aquatic life.
Co-exposure to microplastics and tire particles exacerbates oxidative stress and gut microbiome dysbiosis in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
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Researchers exposed zebrafish for 21 days to environmentally relevant mixtures of microplastics and tire particles and found that combined exposure caused more severe oxidative stress and gut microbiome disruption than either pollutant alone. Particle accumulation occurred mainly in the gut with secondary deposition in the liver, and the most pronounced tissue damage was observed under the highest combined exposure. Gut microbiota analysis revealed significant shifts in community structure, including reduced beneficial bacteria and increased pollutant-tolerant species.
Toxicity of micro and nano tire particles and leachate for model freshwater organisms
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Researchers tested the toxicity of micro- and nano-sized tire particles and their chemical leachates on zebrafish embryos and water fleas, two commonly used model organisms. They found that nano-sized tire particles were more toxic than micro-sized ones, and that the chemical leachate alone also caused significant developmental harm to zebrafish. The study demonstrates that tire debris poses a meaningful environmental risk to freshwater organisms through both direct particle exposure and the release of harmful chemicals.
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