We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A Study of the Toxic Effect of Polystyrene Microplastics on Oxygen Consumption in a Freshwater Fish Heteropneustes fossilis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastics on oxygen consumption in the freshwater fish Heteropneustes fossilis by exposing them to different concentrations for 12 hours. They observed a clear decreasing trend in oxygen uptake at higher microplastic concentrations in both closed and open chamber conditions. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure causes respiratory distress in fish, possibly linked to reduced red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels.
Microplastics (MPs) are new emerging environmental pollutants in aquatic environments that attract widespread attention due to their small size and potential toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. In the present study, we investigated the toxic effects of short-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics at different doses on the oxygen consumption of Heteropneustes fossilis. The fish, after acclimatization, was exposed to polystyrene microplastics at 10.79µg/L, 17.98 µg/L, and 35.96 µg/L for 12 hours.The control group (first group) of fishes showed oxygen consumption of 72.86± 5.05 mg/kg/hr, the second group 69.21±3.64 mg/kg/hr, the third group 57.64±4.04, and the fourthgroup 51.92±4.95 in the closed chamber while 38.99 ± 2.34 mg/kg/hr, 33.47± 1.28 mg/kg/hr, 33.38± 2.40 mg/kg/hr, 29.36± 1.24 mg/kg/hr in open chamber. The decreasing trend of oxygen uptake in the fish was found in both cases after intoxication. The trend may be due to stress conditions of fish correlated with low RBC values and hemoglobin levels due to microplastic intoxication. Alterations in oxygen consumption may be due to respiratory distress due to impaired oxidative metabolism.
More Papers Like This
Ecotoxicological effects of low-density polyethylene microplastic on Heteropneustes fossilis: behavioral, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological impacts
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists exposed freshwater fish to tiny plastic particles (microplastics) from everyday items like plastic bags and found they caused serious health problems including blood disorders, organ damage, and weakened immune systems. The higher the amount of plastic particles, the worse the damage became to vital organs like gills, intestines, and liver. This matters because these same microplastics are found throughout our food chain and water supply, raising concerns about potential health risks for humans who consume contaminated fish and water.
Polystyrene microplastics exposure in freshwater fish, Labeo rohita: evaluation of physiology and histopathology
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers fed freshwater fish varying levels of polystyrene microplastics for 90 days and found dose-dependent damage to blood health, growth, and organ tissues. Higher microplastic concentrations caused more severe harm to the liver, kidneys, gills, and intestines. The study highlights that microplastics in freshwater systems can accumulate in fish and cause significant health problems, raising concerns about food safety for communities that rely on freshwater fish.
Ecotoxicological Effects of Polystyrene Particles on Cyprinus carpio: A Laboratory Assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to polystyrene particles in a controlled laboratory setting, measuring survival, growth, histological damage, and oxidative stress markers over a 30-day period. Exposed fish showed liver and gill tissue damage alongside elevated oxidative stress enzymes, demonstrating that polystyrene microplastics are harmful to freshwater fish at tested concentrations.
Microplastics induce toxic effects in fish: Bioaccumulation, hematological parameters and antioxidant responses
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed juvenile fish to polyamide microplastics and found the particles accumulated primarily in the intestine, gills, and liver, causing reduced blood oxygen-carrying capacity, liver stress, and disrupted antioxidant defenses. These findings matter because fish are an important food source for humans, and microplastic accumulation in fish tissues could transfer these contaminants to people through their diet.
Microplastics and nanoplastics induced differential respiratory damages in tilapia fish Oreochromis niloticus
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed tilapia fish to polystyrene particles of three sizes at environmentally realistic levels and found that all sizes caused respiratory damage, with the medium and large microplastics causing more severe breathing problems than the smallest nanoparticles. The microplastics disrupted energy production in gill tissue and triggered immune responses. Since tilapia is a widely farmed and consumed fish, these findings raise concerns about both fish welfare in plastic-contaminated waters and the quality of farmed fish as food.
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.