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Impacts of some recyclable plastic on marine key species
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Testing three types of microplastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene) from common packaging against marine crustaceans and algae, researchers found that polypropylene was acutely toxic to all crustacean species tested, while polystyrene was toxic to one amphipod species, but leachates from all plastics were non-toxic. The results highlight that microplastic toxicity varies significantly by polymer type and organism, meaning blanket risk assessments may miss species-specific harms.
The aim of this study was to detect the acute ecotoxicological effects of three microplastics (MPs) and their leachates derived from plastic-made packaging in some marine organisms. The MPs were made of polyethylene (PE 4), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS 6) (≤ 38 μm). Lethal responses of leachates and MPs were investigated in Tigriopus fulvus, Gammarus aequicauda, Cymodoce truncata and Idothea baltica. Growth inhibition/stimulation responses in the green microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta were evaluated only for leachates.The results of acute tests with leachates did not cause acute toxicity, in any tested species, even at very higher concentrations. Similarly, PE4 MPs and PS 6 MPs resulted to be non-toxic (LC50 > 100 mg/L) with the exception of G. aequicauda in which PS 6 MPs have determined an acute lethal effect (LC50 = 20.90 mg/L). Acute exposition to PP MPs revealed toxic effects on all crustacean tested species with LC50 values from 2.73 mg/L to 80 mg/L. These results highlight that the current approach for MP risk assessment needs to be deepened, providing alternative endpoints able to monitor the biological effects of MPs tested.
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Researchers exposed two amphipod species to environmentally relevant polyethylene microplastic concentrations and found increased mortality and oxidative stress, with species-specific sensitivity suggesting ecological impacts even at low exposure levels.
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Researchers prepared polypropylene microplastics and tested their toxic effects on the marine crustacean Artemia salina at different life stages. They found that the particles accumulated in the organisms' digestive tracts and caused significant mortality, particularly in the earliest developmental stages. The study demonstrates that polypropylene microplastics pose a real threat to small marine organisms that form the base of ocean food webs.
Comparative toxicity of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene nanoplastics on Artemia franciscana nauplii: a multidimensional assessment
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Researchers compared the toxic effects of three common plastic types — polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene — in nanoplastic form on brine shrimp larvae. They found that all three types caused harm, but polystyrene nanoplastics were the most toxic across multiple biological measures. The study provides the first direct comparison showing that the chemical composition of nanoplastics significantly influences their toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Comparison of the Potential Chronic Toxicity of Polypropylene and Polylactic Acid to the Amphipod Gammarus Aequicauda
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Researchers compared the chronic toxicity of conventional polypropylene (PP) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics on the marine amphipod Gammarus aequicauda to assess whether bioplastics are a safer alternative. The study found that both polymer types caused harm to this crustacean, indicating biodegradable plastics are not necessarily benign once released into marine environments.
Impacts of microplastics on three different juvenile shrimps: Investigating the organism response distinction
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The responses of three farmed shrimp species — Penaeus monodon, Marsupenaeus japonicus, and a third species — to microplastic exposure were compared to investigate species-specific effects. Results showed differences in sensitivity and biological response among the three shrimp species, indicating that microplastic risk assessments for aquaculture cannot assume uniform impacts across species.
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