We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The Effects of Co-Exposure to Antifoulants and Microplastics on the Survival, Oxidative Status, and Cholinergic System of a Marine Mysid
Summary
Researchers investigated how microplastics affect the toxicity of antifoulant chemicals copper pyrithione and zinc pyrithione in aquatic environments, where the presence of plastic particles can alter chemical behavior and bioavailability. Results showed microplastics introduce significant uncertainty into the toxicological assessment of these widespread aquatic pollutants.
Antifoulants such as copper pyrithione (CuPT) and zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) are widespread and hazardous pollutants in aquatic environments. The presence of microplastics (MPs) introduces significant uncertainty regarding the toxicity of CuPT and ZnPT, as their effects can be influenced by MPs. There is a limited understanding of the toxic potential of CuPT and ZnPT when they coexist with MPs. Here, the marine mysid Neomysis awatchensis was treated using no observed effect concentration (NOEC) values of CuPT and ZnPT premixed with MPs (1 µm; 1-100 particles mL-1). The presence of MPs increased the toxicity of the antifoulants in juvenile and adult mysids over 96 h. The additive effect of the MPs varied by chemical; feeding was only reduced by CuPT with MPs, whereas no fluctuation in feeding was observed in response to ZnPT with MPs. Co-exposure to antifoulants and MPs increased malonaldehyde levels, but the response of antioxidant components varied by chemical. In mysids co-exposed to CuPT and MPs, the activity levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase were decreased, whereas their enzymatic activity levels were elevated by co-exposure to ZnPT and MPs. Similarly, depletion of glutathione (GSH) was observed in mysids co-exposed to CuPT and MPs, with significant reductions in GSH reductase (GR) and peroxidase (GPx). However, the GSH level was increased by co-exposure to ZnPT and MPs, with elevations in GR and GPx activity levels. Significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity was only observed in response to CuPT and MPs. These results suggest that MPs can increase toxicity via additive and/or synergistic effects through oxidative imbalance, but these effects of MPs can vary with different chemicals.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Exposure to metals premixed with microplastics increases toxicity through bioconcentration and impairs antioxidant defense and cholinergic response in a marine mysid
Researchers exposed the marine mysid Americamysis bahia to five metals alone and combined with microplastics premixed for varying durations, finding that premixing increased metal bioconcentration and impaired antioxidant defenses and cholinergic signaling more than either contaminant alone.
The single and combined effects of mercury and polystyrene plastic beads on antioxidant-related systems in the brackish water flea: toxicological interaction depending on mercury species and plastic bead size.
Exposure of small crustaceans to mixtures of mercury and polystyrene plastic beads showed complex toxicological interactions — the effects depended on both the size of the plastic beads and the chemical form of mercury. The findings highlight that the real-world health risks of plastic pollution cannot be understood in isolation from the other chemicals that co-occur with plastics in aquatic environments.
Effects of microplastics on the toxicity of co-existing pollutants to fish: A meta-analysis
Meta-analysis of 1,380 biological endpoints from 55 studies found that microplastics in co-existing pollutant solutions significantly increased toxicity to fish beyond what the pollutants caused alone, particularly elevating immune system damage, metabolic disruption, and oxidative stress. The effect depended on fish life stage and microplastic size, but not on pollutant or polymer type.
Biomarker responses of marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) experimentally exposed to emerging contaminants: pharmaceuticals and microplastics.
Researchers exposed marine mussels to the antibiotic clarithromycin, the antidepressant venlafaxine, and polystyrene microplastics alone and in combination, finding that the pharmaceuticals caused oxidative stress but that co-exposure with microplastics diminished these effects, likely because microplastics sequestered the drugs.
Exposure of marine mussels Mytilus spp. to polystyrene microplastics: Toxicity and influence on fluoranthene bioaccumulation
Researchers exposed marine mussels to polystyrene microplastics alone and in combination with the pollutant fluoranthene to study their combined effects. They found that while the microplastics themselves had limited direct toxicity, they influenced how fluoranthene accumulated in and was cleared from the mussels' tissues. The study suggests that microplastics can alter the way marine organisms interact with chemical pollutants, potentially changing the risks these contaminants pose.