Polystyrene microplastics accelerate CuS dissolution and block Cu transfer in the Daphnia magna–zebrafish (Danio rerio) food chain under sunlight irradiation

Mechanism of polystyrene microplastics facilitating the intestinal absorption of dietary Zn in daphnia under trophic transfer

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.

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

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.

Copper Dynamics in the Aquatic Environment Under Ocean Acidification and Contamination by Microplastics

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Researchers examined how ocean acidification alters microplastic-copper dynamics and found that under moderate acidification PET microplastics adsorbed little additional copper while inorganic complexation dominated, but under severe acidification the increased proton competition reduced adsorption capacity and raised free ionic copper concentrations, potentially amplifying copper toxicity to marine organisms.