We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Physiological effects and molecular response in the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis after combined exposure to nanoplastics and copper
Summary
Researchers studied the combined effects of nanoplastics and copper on the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis, a tiny organism important in aquatic food chains. They found that co-exposure to both pollutants decreased growth, reproduction, and lifespan more severely than either pollutant alone. The study suggests that nanoplastics may impair the rotifer's natural defense mechanisms, making it more vulnerable to metal toxicity.
Because nanoplastics (NPs) can transport pollutants, the absorption of surrounding pollutants into NPs and their effects are important environmental issues. This study shows a combined effect of high concentrations of NPs and copper (Cu) in the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. Co-exposure decreased the growth rate, reproduction, and lifespan. The highest level of NP ingestion was detected in the co-treated group, but the Cu concentration was higher in the Cu single-exposure group. ERK activation played a key role in the downstream cell signaling pathway activated by the interaction of NPs and Cu. The increased sensitivity of B. plicatilis to Cu could be due to the impairment of MXR function caused by a high concentration of NPs, which supports our in vivo experiment results. Our results show that exposure to NPs could induce the dysfunction of several critical molecular responses, weakening resistance to Cu and thereby increasing its physiological toxicity in B. plicatilis.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Combined effects of triclosan and nanoplastics on reproduction performance, population dynamics, and transcriptome regulation of rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis)
Researchers investigated the individual and combined effects of the antimicrobial chemical triclosan and nanoplastics of varying sizes on rotifer reproduction, population dynamics, and gene expression. They found that high-dose triclosan or very small nanoplastics significantly impaired reproductive output and altered biochemical responses. The study suggests that nanoplastics can enhance the toxicity of co-occurring chemical pollutants in marine organisms.
Size-dependent toxicity of nano- and microplastics with zinc oxide nanoparticles in the marine rotifer Brachionus koreanus
Researchers studied the combined toxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles with nano- and microplastics on marine rotifers. They found that the presence of plastic particles increased the toxicity of zinc oxide, with nanoplastics causing more harm than microplastics, and the combined exposure reduced reproduction and population growth. The study demonstrates that microplastics can amplify the harmful effects of other environmental contaminants on small marine organisms.
Joint effects of microplastics and ZnO nanoparticles on the life history parameters of rotifers and the ability of rotifers to eliminate harmful phaeocystis
Researchers found that combined exposure to nanoplastics and ZnO nanoparticles had synergistic toxic effects on the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis, delaying maturation, reducing offspring production, and impairing the rotifers' ability to control harmful Phaeocystis algae blooms.
Metabolism deficiency and oxidative stress induced by plastic particles in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis: Common and distinct phenotypic and transcriptomic responses to nano- and microplastics
Researchers found that nanoplastics caused stronger reproductive and population growth inhibition in the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis than microplastics, with transcriptomic analysis revealing distinct size-dependent toxicity pathways involving metabolism deficiency and oxidative stress.
Effect of combined exposure to mercury and nano/microplastics across twenty successive generations in the marine rotifer Proales similis
Researchers exposed marine rotifers to mercury and nano/microplastics across twenty successive generations to evaluate their combined toxicity. They found that while individual exposures had limited effects, the combination of mercury and microplastics caused significantly lower population growth rates and disrupted feeding behavior, demonstrating a synergistic toxic effect. The study suggests that long-term combined exposure to these common marine pollutants poses greater risks than either pollutant alone.