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Contrasting the distribution kinetics of microplastics and nanoplastics in medaka following exposure and depuration
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This study tracked how micro and nanoplastics distribute across different organs in medaka fish over time after exposure and recovery. Nanoplastics spread to more organs including the brain, liver, and eyes, and were harder for the fish to clear than microplastics. The findings show that smaller plastic particles pose a greater risk because they travel further in the body and accumulate in organs, which has implications for understanding human exposure through seafood.
Direct ingestion of micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) results in significant accumulation in gastrointestinal (GI) tract of fish. The breathing process of fish makes MNPs easily retained in their gills. However, the uptake of MNPs in other fish organs remains largely unknown, let alone their kinetic processes. Herein, microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in vivo imaging and precise quantification in various tissues (GI tract, gill, liver, brain, eye, and skin) of seawater (SW)- and freshwater (FW)- acclimated medaka Oryzias melastigma were achieved at an environmentally relevant concentration. Subsequently, the distribution kinetics of MNPs was investigated over a 96-h uptake and 48-h depuration period. MNPs were quickly and mostly captured in GI tract and gill of O. melastigma, and then transferred to liver and brain likely via blood circulation. Such transport was more efficient for NPs as compared to MPs, as evidenced by the consistently higher bioconcentration factors in both SW and FW conditions. The detection of MNPs in eye and skin of O. melastigma was more of an adsorption process, although the specific mechanisms of adsorption and absorption process can hardly be clearly differentiated. This study presented distribution kinetics of MNPs in O. melastigma and highlighted their possible transportation among tissues.
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Uptake and depuration kinetics of microplastics with different polymer types and particle sizes in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)
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Researchers studied the uptake and depuration kinetics of microplastics with different polymer types and sizes in Japanese medaka fish. They found that smaller particles accumulated more readily in fish tissues and were retained longer than larger ones, with particle distribution varying by organ. The study provides important quantitative data on how microplastic characteristics influence their accumulation and clearance in fish, which is relevant to understanding food chain transfer.
Size-dependent and tissue specific accumulation of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics in zebrafish
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Researchers tracked size-dependent accumulation of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in multiple zebrafish tissues, finding that smaller particles distributed more broadly throughout the body compared to larger ones. Nanoplastics showed greater systemic distribution including into brain and reproductive tissues, raising concerns about size-dependent health risks.
Distribution and translocation of micro- and nanoplastics in fish
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This review summarizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics distribute and move through fish bodies, from the gut to organs like the liver, brain, and muscle tissue. Researchers found that nanoplastics are especially concerning because they can cross biological barriers, enter the bloodstream, and even pass to the next generation. The findings highlight the potential for plastic particles consumed by fish to move up the food chain to humans.
Nanoplastics transport in zebrafish brain: Molecular and phenotypic behavioral impacts
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This study tracked how nanoplastics of two sizes (50 nm and 200 nm) accumulate in and clear from zebrafish brains. Smaller nanoplastics built up more and lasted longer in the brain, causing greater damage to neurons and more behavioral changes like reduced activity and impaired learning. The findings suggest that the tiniest plastic particles may pose the most risk to brain health because they are harder for the body to remove.
Organ-specific distribution and size-dependent toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata)
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Researchers fed Australian bass fish nanoplastics of different sizes and found that smaller particles (50 nanometers) accumulated more in the brain and muscle tissue, while larger ones concentrated in the gut and liver. The smallest nanoplastics caused the most severe organ damage, including liver inflammation, gill changes, and brain tissue disruption. The study suggests that particle size plays a critical role in how nanoplastics distribute through the body and how much harm they cause.
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