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Microplastics’ vector effect on Co-bioaccumulation of it and polychlorinated biphenyls in Crassostrea hongkongensis
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Researchers studied whether microplastics act as vectors that increase the bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Hong Kong oysters. Contrary to expectations, they found that co-exposure to microplastics actually inhibited PCB accumulation in the oysters by about 26% compared to PCB exposure alone. The study suggests that while microplastics and PCBs both pose environmental threats, their interaction may reduce rather than amplify PCB uptake in this shellfish species.
Microplastics (MPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are known with high persistence and toxicity, posing urgent threats to food safety and human health. However, little is known about the synergistic effect of MPs on PCBs bioaccumulation on Crassostrea hongkongensis. In the present study, diverse types of MPs were analyzed on sea water and C. hongkongensis sampled from three distinct estuary sites, and film-shaped MPs were discovered to be preferentially ingested by the oysters. Interestingly, the content of MPs and PCBs showed negative correlation (R2 = 0.452, p< 0.001) in the oysters sampled from site 2. Upon MPs and PCBs co-treatment, the in vivo accumulation of PCBs in C. hongkongensis was inhibited by 25.90 % when compared to the group treated with PCBs solely. PCBs stresses significantly induced the expression of genes of CYP2C31, GST, SOD and HSP70 in C. hongkongensis, while, the elevated state was compromised when co-treated with PCBs. The present research alleviates concerns about the potential effects of MPs on promoting PCBs bioaccumulation and provide a better understanding of the combined impact of MPs and PCBs on C. hongkongensis.
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Scientists collected oysters from a Chinese coastal city and found microplastics in all samples, then investigated how microplastics interact with trace metals in vivo, finding that plastic particles and metals co-accumulated in tissues and that plastics may alter metal bioavailability.
Immunotoxicity of microplastics and polychlorinated biphenyls alone or in combination to Crassostrea gigas
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Researchers exposed oysters to microplastics and PCBs (industrial chemicals) both alone and together, finding that the combination caused significantly worse immune damage than either pollutant on its own. The pollutants reduced the oysters' ability to fight infection, increased cell damage, and triggered cell death pathways. This synergistic effect is concerning because microplastics in the ocean often carry other toxic chemicals, potentially making contaminated seafood a greater health risk.
Effects of microplastics and food particles on organic pollutants bioaccumulation in equi-fugacity and above-fugacity scenarios
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The effects of microplastics on polychlorinated biphenyl bioaccumulation in organisms were investigated under equi-fugacity and above-fugacity scenarios, finding that microplastics altered PCB bioaccumulation differently than food-borne particles and that the effect direction depended on background PCB concentrations.
Co-exposure of Microplastics and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Aquatic Ecosystems: a Systematic Review of Impact Mechanisms and Research Directions
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This systematic review examined how microplastics and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) interact in aquatic environments. The research shows that microplastics can carry toxic PCBs into fish and other organisms, and the combined exposure may be more harmful than either pollutant alone, which matters because these contaminated organisms can end up on our plates.
Comparative accumulation and effects of microplastics and microplastic-associated PCB-153 in the white hard clam (Meretrix lyrata) and giant river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) following chronic exposure
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Researchers compared how microplastics and microplastic-bound PCB-153 accumulate in clams and prawns over a chronic exposure period. They found that both species accumulated microplastics and associated contaminants, but the patterns of accumulation and toxic effects differed between the two organisms. The study demonstrates that microplastics can act as carriers of harmful chemicals into seafood species, with the combined exposure causing more oxidative stress than either pollutant alone.
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