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Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and copper on intestinal tissue structure, biochemical indexes, and intestinal microflora of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)
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Researchers exposed Chinese mitten crabs to polystyrene nanoplastics and copper separately and in combination, finding that combined exposure caused greater oxidative stress and immune disruption than either alone, while also shifting gut bacteria composition in ways that may help the crab regulate the combined toxicity.
The combined toxic effects of nanoplastics (NPs) and heavy metals on aquatic organisms have attracted widespread attention. The mechanism of the effects of combined exposure to NPs and Cu2+ on crustaceans remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of NPs and Cu2+ on the antioxidant capacity, immune response, and gut microbiota of Eriocheir sinensis. Both NPs and Cu2+ exposures disrupted the morphological integrity of the gut tissues of E. sinensis. Both combined exposures increased the levels of intestinal antioxidant indices (SOD, CAT, GSH, and MDA) and hemolymphatic enzyme activity indices (TP, ALP, ALT, AST, CK, and LDH) compared to NPs and Cu2+ single exposure. The results of intestinal flora showed that NPs and Cu2+ exposure increased harmful bacteria. Combined exposure reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria and Vibrio compared to NPs and Cu2+ single exposure. This study indicates that E. sinensis may regulate the combined toxicity of NPs and Cu2+ through alterations in the intestinal microbiota, providing a potential reference for elucidating the mechanisms of joint toxicity of NPs and Cu2+ in aquatic species.
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Effect of polystyrene microplastics and temperature on growth, intestinal histology and immune responses of brine shrimp Artemia franciscana
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Researchers exposed brine shrimp to polystyrene microplastics at different temperatures, finding that higher plastic concentrations combined with warmer water reduced survival, damaged intestinal tissue, and triggered immune stress responses — suggesting climate change may amplify microplastic harm in marine ecosystems.
Effects of Expanded Polystyrene Particles on the Diversity and Composition of the Gut Microbiome of the Coastal Isopod Ligia cinerascens
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A controlled laboratory study exposed the coastal isopod Ligia cinerascens to expanded polystyrene for up to 14 days, finding no significant shifts in overall gut microbial diversity but detecting enrichment of potentially pathogenic taxa including Clostridium and Vibrio species. These subtle microbial shifts suggest that even brief EPS exposure may create hidden health risks in coastal invertebrates, with potential implications for marine food web dynamics.
Smaller fibrous microplastics exert stronger multi-level effects on the intertidal mud crab (Macrophthalmus japonicus)
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Tiny plastic fibers, smaller than a grain of rice, turned out to be more harmful to mud crabs than larger plastic fibers, causing more deaths, damage to their gills, and buildup in their bodies. Since these crabs are part of the food chain that ends up on our plates, this research suggests that smaller microplastic fibers in our oceans could pose a bigger risk to seafood safety than previously thought.
Assessment of microplastic hazards in Penaeus vannamei shrimp in a typical estuary of China: polymer composition, risk assessment, and health implications
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in whiteleg shrimp from the Jiulong River estuary in China, finding five polymer types at 0.46 particles/g, with PVC comprising only 5.52% by count but contributing 98.11% of the total hazard risk index due to its toxic chemical additives. The disproportionate hazard posed by PVC despite its low abundance in farmed shrimp has direct food-safety implications, as commercially important shellfish in estuarine aquaculture systems are accumulating high-risk plastics consumed by people globally.
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