We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Aged polyethylene microplastics and glyphosate-based herbicide co-exposure toxicity in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
AI summary Read the abstract
This study looked at what happens when Pacific white shrimp are exposed to both aged microplastics and a common herbicide (glyphosate) at the same time. Researchers found that while microplastics alone had mild effects, combining them with the herbicide changed how toxic the herbicide was to the shrimp, suggesting that microplastics in the environment may alter the impact of other chemical pollutants on marine life.
Microplastics and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) unavoidably contaminate aquatic environments, yet their combined effect on aquatic organisms has been scarcely investigated. We present a short-term study on individual and combined effects of aged polyethylene (PE) microplastics and GBH exposures at environmentally relevant concentrations on oxidative damage, antioxidant responses, immune parameters, and hepatopancreas histology in shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ). In addition, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was evaluated as a biomarker of GBH exposure. After 96 hours of exposure, individual PE microplastic exposure slightly influenced oxidative status, immune parameters, and histology. Decreases in AChE concentration and alterations in oxidative status, immunity, and cell population in hepatopancreas were observed in single GBH-exposed shrimp. The combinations of aged PE microplastics and GBH induced some changes that differed from individual GBH exposures. For instance, some alterations implied that the presence of aged PE microplastics may alter GBH toxicity to L. vannamei (AChE concentration and some expressions of immune-related genes). In conclusion, our results suggest that single exposure of aged PE microplastics at environmental concentration may slightly affect the health of L. vannamei and that aged PE microplastics are likely to modify the toxicity of other co-exposed chemicals.
More Papers Like This
Ecological risks under combined pollution: Toxicological effects of clothianidin and microplastics on Penaeus vannamei
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined the combined effects of a common insecticide (clothianidin) and microplastics on Pacific white shrimp over 28 days. Researchers found that exposure to both pollutants together was significantly more harmful than either alone, causing reduced growth, immune system disruption, altered energy metabolism, and nervous system interference. The results underscore that real-world pollution involves mixtures of contaminants whose combined effects can be worse than expected.
Potential Risks of Microplastic Fomites to Aquatic Organisms with Special Emphasis on Polyethylene-Microplastic-Glyphosate Exposure Case in Aquacultured Shrimp
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the distribution, sorption capacity, and bioaccumulation of microplastics in aquatic environments, with a case study on polyethylene microplastic co-exposure with glyphosate in farmed shrimp. The authors identify a knowledge gap on the combined toxicity of glyphosate sorbed to polyethylene microplastics in shrimp and call for studies addressing health risks to both the organisms and human consumers.
Roles of bio-based microplastics in modulating the toxic effects of the herbicide metolachlor on the South American native species Palaemon argentinus: Single and co-exposure effects
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed South American native shrimp to polylactic acid microplastics and the herbicide metolachlor, both individually and in combination, over a seven-day period. They found that the bio-based microplastics caused oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and tissue damage, and also acted as carriers that increased pesticide accumulation in the shrimp. The study suggests that even biodegradable plastics can transport pollutants and pose ecological risks in aquatic ecosystems.
Non-additive effects of microplastics, atrazine, and sulfamethoxazole co-exposure on Penaeus vannamei health and environmental risks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) to carboxylated polystyrene microplastics, the herbicide atrazine, and the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole individually and in combination, finding that co-exposure produced non-additive effects on contaminant accumulation, antioxidant function, gut microbiome composition, and antibiotic resistance gene diversity — with the three-way mixture generating novel resistance combinations.
Toxicities of polystyrene microplastics (MPs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), alone or in combination, to the hepatopancreas of the whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and a flame retardant chemical (HBCD) on the liver-like organ of whiteleg shrimp. The combination caused more severe damage than either pollutant alone, disrupting metabolism and triggering oxidative stress. This matters because microplastics in the ocean commonly carry absorbed chemical pollutants, making real-world exposure potentially more harmful than single-pollutant studies suggest.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.