We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene microplastics aggravate the threat of decabromodiphenyl ethane to Eisenia fetida: Bioaccumulation, tissue damage, and transcriptional responses
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that acrylonitrile butadiene styrene microplastics aggravated the toxic effects of decabromodiphenyl ethane on earthworms, increasing bioaccumulation, tissue damage, and disrupting gene expression related to stress responses.
Little is known about how brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and microplastics (MPs) co-pollution influences soil organisms. Here, we investigated the impacts of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)-MPs in soil on the 28-d dynamic bioaccumulation, tissue damage, and transcriptional responses of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) in Eisenia fetida by simulating different pollution scenarios (10 mg kg DBDPE, 10 mg kg DBDPE accompanied by 0.1 % ABS-MPs, and 10 mg kg DBDPE accompanied by 0.1 % ABS-resin). The results show ABS resin did not influence DBDPE bioaccumulation or distribution, but ABS-MPs, particularly 74-187 μm size of MPs, prolonged DBDPE equilibrium time and significantly promoted DBDPE bioaccumulation in tissue (1.76-2.38 folds) and epidermis (2.72-3.34 folds). However, ABS-MPs and ABS-resin reduced DBDPE concentrations of intestines by 22.2-30.6 % and 37.3 %, respectively. DBDPE-MPs caused more serious epidermis and intestines damages than DBDPE. Additionally, compared to the control, DBDPE significantly up-regulated 1957 genes and down-regulated 2203 genes; meanwhile, DBDPE-MPs up-regulated 1475 genes and down-regulated 2231 genes. DBDPE and DBDPE-MPs both regulated lysosome, phagosome, and apoptosis as the top 3 enriched pathways, while DBDPE-MPs specifically regulated signaling pathways and compound metabolism. This study demonstrated that the presence of ABS-MPs aggravated the biotoxicity of DBDPE, providing scientific information for assessing the ecological risks of MPs and additives from e-waste in soil.
More Papers Like This
Insight into Bioaccumulation of Decabromodiphenyl Ethane in Eisenia fetida Increased by Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that microplastics made from electronics casings significantly increased the accumulation of a brominated flame retardant chemical in earthworms over time. While the microplastics initially slowed absorption of the chemical, after 28 days they promoted greater bioaccumulation by altering the soil environment and the earthworms' gut bacteria. The study suggests that the co-occurrence of electronic waste microplastics and flame retardants in soil may amplify chemical exposure in soil organisms.
Multi-level biomarker responses in Eisenia fetida co-exposed to PE-MPs and DiBP: An ecological risk assessment based on physiological, biochemical, and molecular indicators
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that when microplastics from farm plastic sheeting combine with a common plastic-softening chemical (DiBP) in soil, they cause worse damage to earthworms than either pollutant alone—harming their cells, DNA, and organs. This matters because these same plastics and chemicals are widespread in soil where our food grows, and earthworms are a key indicator of soil health, so damage to them could signal broader risks to the food chain and environment we depend on.
Combined toxicity of organophosphate flame retardants and polyethylene microplastics on Eisenia fetida: Biochemical and molecular insights
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed earthworms to polyethylene microplastics, chlorinated flame retardants, and their combinations to assess combined toxicity effects. They found that the most toxic flame retardant (TDCPP) had its effects reduced when combined with microplastics, likely because the plastics absorbed the chemical and lowered its bioavailability. In contrast, microplastics enhanced the toxicity of another flame retardant (TCPP), demonstrating that microplastics can act as both carriers and modulators of co-contaminant toxicity in soil ecosystems.
Polylactic acid microplastics induce higher biotoxicity of decabromodiphenyl ethane on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) compared to polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the combined toxicity of the flame retardant DBDPE with three types of microplastics on earthworms and found that polylactic acid (a bio-based plastic) caused more severe damage than conventional polyethylene or polypropylene. The co-exposure led to neurotoxic effects, tissue damage, and significant transcriptomic changes in the earthworms. The findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are inherently safer than conventional plastics when interacting with environmental contaminants.
Effect of polyethylene microplastics on tebuconazole bioaccumulation, oxidative stress, and intestinal bacterial community in earthworms
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed earthworms to polyethylene microplastics of different sizes alongside a common fungicide and found that smaller microplastics caused the most severe oxidative stress and DNA damage. The microplastics also changed how much fungicide accumulated in the earthworms and disrupted their gut bacteria. This matters because earthworms are essential for soil health, and these effects could ripple through agricultural ecosystems that produce our food.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.