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First report on the toxicity of SARS-CoV-2, alone and in combination with polyethylene microplastics in neotropical fish
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Researchers evaluated the ecotoxicological effects of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and polyethylene microplastics, both alone and in combination, on the neotropical fish Poecilia reticulata over 15 days. The study suggests that exposure to these contaminants from sewage may affect aquatic organisms, highlighting the need to understand how pandemic-related pollutants interact with existing environmental contaminants like microplastics in aquatic ecosystems.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented negative impacts in the modern era, including economic, social, and public health losses. On the other hand, the potential effects that the input of SARS-CoV-2 in the aquatic environment from sewage may represent on non-target organisms are not well known. In addition, it is not yet known whether the association of SARS-CoV-2 with other pollutants, such as microplastics (MPs), may further impact the aquatic biota. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the possible ecotoxicological effects of exposure of male adults Poecilia reticulata, for 15 days, to inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (0.742 pg/L; isolated SARS.CoV2/SP02.2020.HIAE.Br) and polyethylene MP (PE MPs) (7.1 × 10 particles/L), alone and in combination, from multiple biomarkers. Our data suggest that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 induced behavioral changes (in the open field test), nephrotoxic effect (inferred by the increase in creatinine), hepatotoxic effect (inferred by the increase in bilirubin production), imbalance in the homeostasis of Fe, Ca, and Mg, as well as an anticholinesterase effect in the animals [marked by the reduction of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity]. On the other hand, exposure to PE MPs induced a genotoxic effect (assessed by the comet assay), as well as an increase in enzyme activity alpha-amylase, alkaline phosphatase, and carboxylesterases. However, we did not show synergistic, antagonistic, or additive effects caused by the combined exposure of P. reticulata to SARS-CoV-2 and PE MPs. Principal component analysis (PCA) and values from the "Integrated Biomarker Response" index indicate that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was determinant for a more prominent effect in the evaluated animals. Therefore, our study sheds light on the ecotoxicity of the new coronavirus in non-target organisms and ratifies the need for more attention to the impacts of COVID-19 on aquatic biota.
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Meta-analysis of 1,380 biological endpoints from 55 studies found that microplastics in co-existing pollutant solutions significantly increased toxicity to fish beyond what the pollutants caused alone, particularly elevating immune system damage, metabolic disruption, and oxidative stress. The effect depended on fish life stage and microplastic size, but not on pollutant or polymer type.
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This study evaluated the toxicity of polyethylene microplastics in association with distinct emerging pollutants using ecotoxicological assays. The research was supported by the Brazilian education agency CAPES and examined combinatorial effects of microplastics with co-occurring contaminants.
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This review covers the ecotoxicity of microplastics and priority pollutants in water, summarizing experimental evidence for toxicity endpoints including mortality, reproduction, growth, and behavioral effects across aquatic organisms. The authors note that combined exposure to microplastics and co-contaminants often produces greater toxicity than individual exposures, highlighting the importance of mixture effects.
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Researchers found that polyethylene microplastic exposure in zebrafish caused oxidative stress, altered antioxidant enzyme activity, and induced intestinal damage, with concurrent Aeromonas hydrophila infection amplifying these toxic effects and increasing mortality rates.
Uptake and toxicity of micro-/nanoplastics derived from naturally weathered disposable face masks in developing zebrafish: Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on aquatic life
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Researchers exposed developing zebrafish to micro- and nanoplastics created by naturally weathering disposable face masks in water. They found that these particles caused physical malformations, increased cell death, and triggered oxidative stress in the fish embryos and larvae. The findings suggest that improperly discarded pandemic masks breaking down in waterways could pose real threats to aquatic life during early development.
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