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Trophic transfer effects of PS nanoplastics and field-derived nanoplastics in the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea
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Researchers compared the effects of laboratory-made polystyrene nanoplastics and field-collected nanoplastics on freshwater clams through dietary exposure via algae. They found that both types of nanoplastics transferred through the food chain and accumulated in the clams, but the field-derived particles caused different biological responses than the lab-made ones. The study highlights the importance of using environmentally realistic plastic particles in toxicity research.
Plastic pollution is of global concern. Many studies investigated the effect of micro and nanoplatics towards aquatic organisms. However, relatively few studies were assessed on freshwater organisms. Another aspect of this pollution is the impact of trophic transfer on plastic distribution and on food chain in order to evaluate its potential risk towards environmental and human health. In this context, the objective of this study was to assess the ecotoxicological impacts of different types of nanoplastics (NPs) on freshwater organisms exposed through trophic transfer. Freshwater microalgae Scenedesmus subspicatus were contaminated for 48 h with realistic concentrations of NPs (0.008, 10 and 100 µg/L). Two types of NPs were tested: commercial PS NPs and NPs generated from macro-sized plastics collected in the field (ENV NPs). Freshwater Corbicula fluminea bivalves were then fed with the contaminated algae every 48 h for 21 days. Results showed that trophic exposure led to the induction of oxidative stress (CAT activity). Overall, NPs trophic exposure caused downregulations of genes implicated in many cellular processes (immunity, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, endocytosis, apoptosis). This present study allowed to demonstrate the relevance of investigating the trophic transfer effects of NPs on a freshwater trophic chain. Further studies should focus more on larger levels of the food chain.
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Researchers exposed the freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea to standard polystyrene nanoplastics and environmentally derived micro- and nanoplastics at three concentrations, measuring gene expression in gills and visceral mass at 7 and 21 days. Major differences in oxidative stress, immunity, apoptosis, and neurotoxicity responses were found between the two particle types, demonstrating the importance of using environmentally realistic particles in ecotoxicological studies.
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Researchers exposed clams to nanoplastics at concentrations found in real marine environments and tracked how the particles accumulated in their tissues over 14 days. The nanoplastics caused physical damage and significantly altered the clams' gut bacteria. This is concerning because clams are widely consumed seafood, meaning nanoplastic contamination could affect both marine ecosystems and human food sources.
Nanoplastic-Induced Genotoxicity and Intestinal Damage in Freshwater Benthic Clams (Corbicula fluminea): Comparison with Microplastics
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Researchers compared the effects of nanoplastics and microplastics on freshwater clams and found that both caused intestinal damage and changes in gut bacteria, but through different biological mechanisms. Nanoplastics triggered cell death through mitochondrial pathways and caused more severe damage to intestinal mucus layers, while microplastics activated immune responses and increased harmful bacteria in the gut. The study suggests that plastic particle size plays a key role in determining the type and severity of biological harm.
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