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Nanoplastics and biota behaviour: Known effects, environmental relevance, and research needs
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This review examined how nanoplastics affect the behavior of aquatic and terrestrial organisms, finding that behavioral endpoints are sensitive indicators of nanoplastic exposure but highlighting the need for more environmentally relevant concentrations and chronic exposure studies.
Behaviour is increasingly recognized as a sensitive screening tool to detect the effects of environmental disturbances on biota, resulting from molecular, biochemical, and physiological processes. In this sense, several (eco)toxicological studies have been assessing and reporting the behavioural effects of xenobiotics, even at very low doses. Different behavioural endpoints may help to estimate more accurately the impact of nanoplastics (NPLs) in fitness-related behaviours and, therefore, should be included in environmentally relevant exposure scenarios. This paper presents a critical review of current scientific knowledge regarding tested behavioural endpoints on freshwater organisms exposed to NPLs, findings’ environmental relevance and research needs. Overall, the limited number of studies addressed only 3 types of polymers, with spherical polystyrene (PS) being the most studied, but all identified behaviour as a sensitive endpoint to NPLs exposure, with potential effects on populations. However, applied methodologies differ making comparison of effects between different sizes or polymers difficult.
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This review examines the toxicological effects of nanoplastics on aquatic and terrestrial organisms, noting that the vast surface area of nanoplastics enables them to carry environmental pollutants into organisms. Researchers describe how nanoplastics accumulate in organs and can transfer to offspring, potentially harming subsequent generations. The study highlights the need for further research on the health threats posed by nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations.
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