Polystyrene Microplastics (Ps-Mps) Harness Copper Presence and Promote Impairments in Early Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Larvae: Developmental, Biochemical, Transcriptomic Approaches and Nontargeted Metabolomics Approaches

Feeding, excretion, survival, and histological alterations in zebrafish Danio rerio from single and combined exposure to microplastics and copper

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Researchers exposed zebrafish to microplastics and copper individually and in combination over 14 days, finding that combined exposure caused the most severe histological damage across multiple organ systems including skin, gills, intestine, liver, and kidneys, while microplastic excretion rates declined over time and copper tissue levels were unaffected by co-exposure.

Embryotoxicity of microplastics, isolated and associated with copper, in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

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Zebrafish embryo experiments showed that microplastics strongly adhere to the embryonic chorion and, when combined with copper, cause significant delays in hatching and reduced heart rate in developing larvae. These results demonstrate that microplastics act as vectors enhancing metal co-exposure during critical developmental windows, raising concerns about synergistic toxic effects in vertebrates from combined microplastic and heavy metal exposure.

Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) harness copper presence and promote impairments in early zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae: Developmental, biochemical, transcriptomic approaches and nontargeted metabolomics approaches

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This zebrafish study found that polystyrene microplastics combined with copper produced worse toxic effects than either pollutant alone, causing developmental problems, oxidative stress, immune disruption, and nerve damage in larvae. The combination also disrupted the fish's metabolism in ways that neither pollutant caused independently. This is concerning because microplastics readily absorb heavy metals like copper in the environment, meaning organisms are often exposed to both together.

Oxidative damage and intestinal microbial imbalance induced by polystyrene microplastics and cadmium in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Mitochondrial dysfunction and lipometabolic disturbance induced by the co-effect of polystyrene nanoplastics and copper impede early life stage development of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

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Researchers found that co-exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and copper at environmentally relevant concentrations caused mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid metabolism disruption in zebrafish embryos, impairing early development and survival more severely than either contaminant alone.