We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Potential harmful impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on the health of a tropical sea cucumber, Holothuria leucospilota, evidenced by changes of gut microflora, histology, immune and oxidative indexes
Summary
Scientists exposed tropical sea cucumbers to both nano-sized and micro-sized plastic particles and found that both caused gut damage, altered the gut microbiome, triggered oxidative stress, and disrupted immune function. Notably, the smaller nanoplastics had stronger effects than the larger microplastics, and plastic particles were observed accumulating in the gut tissue.
Nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) have emerged as pervasive environmental pollutants, and they ubiquitously distribute in ecosystems and accumulate within organisms, thereby posing a substantial threat to global ecology. Though the disruptive effects of NPs and MPs on physiology and behavior in some aquatic species have been extensively documented, the potential impacts of them on a widespread sea cucumber, Holothuria leucospilota, remain unexplored. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation to reveal the effect of polyethylene NPs (200 nm) and MPs (20 μm) on the health of the sea cucumber. The results indicated that the exposure to NPs and MPs deeply altered the gut microbiota, wherein a substantial alternation of core gut microorganisms such as Rhodobacteraceae and Flavobacteriaceae was observed. NPs and MPs induced oxidative stress in the gut of sea cucumbers, which may be linked to intraspecific variations in the abundance of Rhodobacteraceae, Arcobacteraceae, and Spirochaetaceae, as well as an immune imbalance associated with shifts in Rhodobacteraceae and Arcobacteraceae populations within the gut microbiota. Notably, NPs exerting a more pronounced effect on oxidative stress levels compared to MPs. Additionally, obvious transmission and accumulation of plastic particles could be observed in the gut tissues, and therefore it likely contributed to histological damage, immunological dysregulation, and oxidative stress. These findings clearly demonstrated that NPs and MPs exert harmful impacts on the health of the sea cucumber. This study provides valuable and deep insights into the broader ecological hazards caused by the contamination of plastic particles in marine ecosystems.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic and nanoplastic exposure induced transcriptional and physiological alterations and triggered immune responses in the sea cucumber, Holothuria leucospilota
Researchers exposed sea cucumbers to polyethylene microplastics and nanoplastics for 14 days and measured changes in gene expression, oxidative stress, and immune function. They found that nanoplastics caused more severe effects than microplastics, including widespread changes in gene activity and signs of immune system activation. The study raises concerns about the vulnerability of bottom-feeding marine animals that inadvertently consume plastic particles from sediment.
Adverse effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus and their association with gut microbiota dysbiosis
Researchers used multiple advanced techniques to study how polystyrene nanoplastics affect sea cucumbers, an important aquaculture species. They found that nanoplastic exposure disrupted the animals' gut microbiome, triggered inflammation, and impaired immune function. The study suggests that nanoplastic pollution in aquaculture environments could harm the health of commercially farmed marine species.
Adverse effects of dietary virgin (nano)microplastics on growth performance, immune response, and resistance to ammonia stress and pathogen challenge in juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)
Dietary polystyrene nano- and microplastics significantly reduced growth in juvenile sea cucumbers, caused oxidative stress, and suppressed immune and ammonia detoxification responses, with 100 nm nanoplastics proving more toxic than 20 µm microplastics in a size-dependent manner.
Levels and oxidative toxicity of microplastics and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in different tissues of sea cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa)
Researchers found microplastics (mainly polyethylene and polypropylene) in both the gut and internal fluids of sea cucumbers, confirming that these particles can cross from the digestive tract into body tissues. The microplastics were linked to increased oxidative stress, a type of cell damage. Since sea cucumbers are eaten as food in many cultures, this contamination could be a route of microplastic exposure for humans.
The effect of chronic microplastic exposure on the growth, biochemical responses, and histological changes of the juvenile sea cucumber Holothuria scabra
Researchers exposed juvenile sea cucumbers to polymethylmethacrylate microplastics over 60 days and observed significant negative effects on growth, biochemical responses, and tissue structure. The study found dose-dependent impacts, with higher microplastic concentrations causing greater reductions in weight gain and more pronounced histological damage to the animals' organs.