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Ecotoxicity of emerging contaminants in the reproductive organ of marine mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis
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Researchers examined the individual and combined ecotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles, polystyrene nanoplastics, and the pharmaceutical 5-fluorouracil on the reproductive organs of marine mussels. The study found that these emerging contaminants, which commonly co-occur in marine environments, can affect mussel reproductive tissues, highlighting the importance of understanding mixture toxicity to protect marine biodiversity and future population health.
Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) present a new threat to the marine environment, and it is vital to understand the interactions and possible toxicity of CEC mixtures once they reach the ocean. CECs-such as metal nanoparticles, nanoplastics, and pharmaceuticals-are groups of contaminants some of which have been individually evaluated, though their interactions as mixtures are still not fully understood. To ensure a healthy and prosperous future generation, successful reproduction is key: however, if hindered, population dynamics may be at danger leading to a negative impact on biodiversity. This study aimed to understand the effects of silver (20 nm nAg, 10 μg/L), polystyrene nanoparticles (50 nm nPS, 10 μg/L), and 5-fluorouracil (5FU, 10 ng/L) individually and as a mixture (10 μg/L of nPS + 10 μg/L of nAg +10 ng/L of 5FU) in the gonads of Mytilus galloprovincialis. A multibiomarker approach, namely the antioxidant defence system (ADS; superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione - S - transferases activities), and oxidative damage (OD; lipid peroxidation) were analysed in the gonads of mussels. All exposure treatments after 3 days led to an increase of enzymatic activity, followed by an inhibition after 14 and 21 days. Thus, ADS was overwhelmed due to the generation of ROS, resulting in OD, except for nPS exposed mussels. The OD in Mix exposed mussels increased exponentially by 57-fold. When CEC mixtures interact, they are potentially more hazardous than their individual components, posing a major threat to marine species. To understand synergistic and antagonistic interactions, a model was applied, and antagonistic interactions were observed in evaluated biomarkers at all time-points, apart from a synergistic interaction at day 3 relative to LPO. Results indicate that the effects observed in Mix-exposed mussel gonads are mainly due to the interaction of nAg and 5FU but not nPS.
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Researchers exposed mussels to nanoplastics combined with a cancer drug (5-fluorouracil) and found that the two pollutants together were far more dangerous than either one alone. Female mussels accumulated more nanoplastics and suffered greater harm than males. Since mussels are widely consumed as seafood, these findings suggest that mixtures of nanoplastics and pharmaceutical pollutants in coastal waters could pose risks to both marine life and human health.
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Researchers exposed mussels to nanoplastics and the antibiotic norfloxacin, both alone and together, and found that the combination caused greater biochemical stress than either pollutant alone. Nanoplastics appeared to carry the antibiotic into mussel tissues, increasing its bioavailability and impact on gut microbiota. The findings suggest that nanoplastics can amplify the toxicity of other contaminants in marine organisms.
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Scientists exposed thick-shell mussels to a combination of micro- and nanoplastics along with a common pollutant (phenanthrene) to study their combined effects. The mixtures caused more severe immune cell damage, increased oxidative stress, and stronger inflammatory responses than either pollutant alone. Evidence indicates that micro- and nanoplastics can worsen the toxic effects of organic pollutants in marine shellfish.
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Researchers exposed marine mussels to the antibiotic clarithromycin, the antidepressant venlafaxine, and polystyrene microplastics alone and in combination, finding that the pharmaceuticals caused oxidative stress but that co-exposure with microplastics diminished these effects, likely because microplastics sequestered the drugs.
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