We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Low pH aggravates the toxicity of polystyrene microplastics in crab Eriocheir sinensis: Evidence from metabolome and intestinal microflora
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that combining acidic water (low pH) with polystyrene microplastics caused worse harm to Chinese mitten crabs than either stressor alone, disrupting their immune system, energy metabolism, and gut bacteria. The findings highlight that climate change-driven water acidification could amplify the toxicity of microplastics in freshwater wildlife.
Microplastics (MPs) pollution and freshwater acidification represent emerging threats to aquatic ecosystems. The combined toxic effects of these stressors on crustaceans and their underlying immune-metabolic mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated the individual and combined toxic effects of low pH and polystyrene MPs on the Chinese mitten crab ( Eriocheir sinensis ). Through a 21-day exposure experiment combined with enzyme activity analysis, gut microbiota profiling, and hepatopancreas metabolomics, the findings revealed: (1) Combined exposure to low pH (pH 6.5) and MPs exacerbated oxidative damage and immune suppression, demonstrating synergistic toxicity; (2) MPs alone primarily affected pyrimidine metabolism, whereas combined exposure significantly disrupted the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and arginine biosynthesis while activating serotonin metabolism; (3) Although the α-diversity of gut microbiota remained stable, its COG functional profile underwent significant alterations. The results indicate that freshwater acidification amplifies the toxic effects of MPs on crustaceans through immune-metabolic interactions, highlighting the urgency of assessing multiple environmental stressors in the context of climate change. The study provides novel mechanistic insights for aquatic ecological risk assessment. • Compared to individual stressors, the combined exposure to low pH and MPs exhibits stronger toxic effects on E. sinensis . • Low pH may exacerbate the toxicity of MPs and produce a synergistic effect. • Single and combined exposures have different impacts on the metabolism of E. sinensis . • Low pH and MPs jointly showed no significant effect on E. sinensis gut microbiota.
More Papers Like This
Effects of microplastics on the innate immunity and intestinal microflora of juvenile Eriocheir sinensis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed juvenile Chinese mitten crabs to different concentrations of microplastics for up to 21 days and measured immune responses and gut microbiome changes. They found that microplastic exposure disrupted immune enzyme activities and altered the composition of intestinal bacteria, with effects intensifying at higher concentrations and longer exposure times. The study suggests that microplastic pollution may compromise the immune health and gut ecology of freshwater crustaceans.
Polystyrene microplastics increase Pb bioaccumulation and health damage in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics significantly increased the accumulation of lead in the tissues of Chinese mitten crabs when both pollutants were present together. The combined exposure caused more severe oxidative stress, disrupted fat metabolism, and increased liver damage compared to lead exposure alone. The study suggests that microplastics can act as carriers for heavy metals in aquatic environments, amplifying their toxic effects on commercially important seafood species.
Effects of ocean acidification and polystyrene microplastics on the oysters Crassostrea gigas: An integrated biomarker and metabolomic approach
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed oysters to polystyrene microplastics of two sizes under both normal and acidified ocean conditions to simulate climate change. They found that ocean acidification and microplastics interacted in complex ways, with smaller microplastics under acidic conditions altering the oysters' metabolic profiles in their digestive organs. This study highlights that climate change may change how microplastics affect the shellfish many people eat.
The effects of a polystyrene nanoplastic on the immune response and gut microbiota of Eriocheir sinensis and its post-recovery state
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed Chinese mitten crabs to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that 48-hour exposure suppressed immune enzyme activity, elevated pathogen abundance in the gut microbiome, and damaged the hepatopancreas — with tissue damage persisting after 7 days of recovery even as gut nanoplastics were cleared.
Polystyrene microplastics induce molecular toxicity in Simocephalus vetulus: A transcriptome and intestinal microorganism analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed a freshwater crustacean to polystyrene nanoplastics and found widespread molecular-level damage, including oxidative stress, disrupted energy metabolism, and signs of neurotoxicity. The nanoplastics also significantly altered the animals' gut microbiome, increasing harmful bacteria and weakening intestinal barrier function. The study provides a detailed picture of how plastic pollution can affect freshwater organisms at the cellular and genetic level.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.