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Ecological Risks of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Early Life Stages of Obscure Puffer (Takifugu obscurus)
Summary
This study tested the toxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the early life stages of the obscure puffer fish, finding reduced hatching rates, deformities in larvae, and significant mortality at higher concentrations. While focused on zinc oxide rather than microplastics, the research is relevant because zinc oxide nanoparticles from sunscreen are commonly found alongside microplastics in aquatic environments. The combined presence of multiple nanoparticle pollutants may compound the risks to aquatic ecosystems and the fish people eat.
Nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) are extensively used in various applications, and their widespread use leads to their environmental presence, particularly in wastewater treatment plant effluents, rivers, and soil. This study focuses on the obscure puffer, Takifugu obscurus, an economically important fish in China, aiming to assess the toxic effects of ZnO NPs on its early life stages, emphasizing the need for understanding the ecological implications of ZnO NP exposure in aquatic environments. Exposure during the hatching stage resulted in a significant decrease in hatching rates, with embryos displaying surface coating at higher ZnO NP concentrations. Newly hatched larvae experienced deformities, and post-hatching exposure led to pronounced reductions in survival rates, particularly with higher ZnO NP concentrations. Two-month-old juveniles exposed to increasing ZnO NP concentrations exhibited a consistent decline in survival rates, emphasizing concentration-dependent adverse effects. Biochemical analyses revealed elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities in various tissues, indicating oxidative stress. This study underscores the ecological risks of ZnO NP contamination in aquatic environments, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of nanoparticle exposure in aquatic ecosystems.
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