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The combined effects of azoxystrobin and different aged polyethylene microplastics on earthworms (Eisenia fetida): A systematic evaluation based on oxidative damage and intestinal function

The Science of The Total Environment 2024 22 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 65 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Xin Bao, Xin Bao, Xin Bao, Long Chen, Long Chen, Li Liu Long Chen, Zhiyuan Meng, Xin Bao, Zijian Wang, Li Liu Yuntong Gu, Li Liu Zhiyuan Meng, Yuntong Gu, Zijian Wang, Li Liu Long Chen, Long Chen, Zhiyuan Meng, Zhiyuan Meng, D T Wang, Long Chen, D T Wang, Zijian Wang, Long Chen, Yuntong Gu, Zhiyuan Meng, Xin Bao, Long Chen, Yuntong Gu, Xin Bao, Yuntong Gu, Yuntong Gu, Li Liu Li Liu Xiaojun Chen, Xin Bao, Long Chen, Li Liu Zhiyuan Meng, Xiaojun Chen, Xin Bao, Xin Bao, Li Liu Long Chen, Zhiyuan Meng, Zhiyuan Meng, Long Chen, Xiaojun Chen, Li Liu Li Liu

Summary

Scientists studied how the pesticide azoxystrobin and aged polyethylene microplastics together affect earthworms, and found the combination was significantly more toxic than either pollutant alone. The aged microplastics helped the earthworms absorb more pesticide, leading to greater weight loss, more oxidative damage, and worse intestinal damage. This is important for human health because it shows that microplastics in agricultural soil can increase the bioavailability and toxicity of pesticides that may end up in our food.

Polymers

Models

Invertebrate other

Pesticides and microplastics are common pollutants in soil environments, adversely affecting soil organisms. However, the combined toxicological effects of aged microplastics and pesticides on soil organisms are still unclear. In this study, we systematically studied the toxicological effects of azoxystrobin and four different aged polyethylene (PE) microplastics on earthworms (Eisenia fetida). The purpose was to evaluate the effects of aging microplastics on the toxicity of microplastics-pesticides combinations on earthworms. The results showed that different-aged PE microplastics promoted azoxystrobin accumulation in earthworms. Meanwhile, combined exposure to azoxystrobin and aged PE microplastics decreased the body weight of earthworms. Besides, both single and combined exposure to azoxystrobin and aged PE microplastics could lead to oxidative damage in earthworms. Further studies revealed that azoxystrobin and aged PE microplastics damage the intestinal structure and function of earthworms. Additionally, the combination of different aged PE microplastics and azoxystrobin was more toxic on earthworms than single exposures. The PE microplastics subjected to mechanical wear, ultraviolet radiation, and acid aging exhibited the strongest toxicity enhancement effects on earthworms. This high toxicity may be related to the modification of PE microplastics caused by aging. In summary, these results demonstrated the enhancing effects of aged PE microplastics on the toxicity of pesticides to earthworms. More importantly, aged PE microplastics exhibited stronger toxicity-enhancing effects in the early exposure stages. This study provides important data supporting the impact of different aged PE microplastics on the environmental risks of pesticides.

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