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Effects of Secondary Recycled Microplastics on the Biotest Organism Paramecium caudatum
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Researchers exposed the freshwater ciliate Paramecium caudatum to secondary recycled PVC and HDPE microparticles and found that concentrations of 5 μg/mL and above significantly impaired survival and behavior, raising concerns about microplastic toxicity propagating through planktonic food webs.
Microplastic pollution of aquatic environments has become a global environmental problem. The study has found that the freshwater ciliate Paramecium caudatum ingests secondary recycled microplastic particles. Polyvinyl chloride and high-density polyethylene microparticles at concentrations of 5 μg/mL and higher exert a significant negative impact on the survival and behavior of ciliates. Since this organism is an integral part of the planktonic food web, there are certain environmental risks of the advancement of toxic substances along the food chain, which poses a potential hazard to aquatic biota and humans.
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Paramecium bursaria as a Potential Tool for Evaluation of Microplastics Toxicity
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The ciliate protozoan Paramecium bursaria was evaluated as a novel model organism for microplastic toxicity testing, showing dose-dependent adverse effects from microplastic exposure at concentrations relevant to aquatic environments. The authors propose P. bursaria as a useful complement to metazoan test organisms for early-tier ecotoxicological screening.
Ecotoxicological Effects of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Microplastics on the Growth, Reproduction and Survival of Daphnia magna
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Researchers exposed Daphnia magna to polyvinyl chloride microplastics at different concentrations, alone and combined with two algal food sources, and measured growth, reproduction, and survival. PVC microplastics reduced fecundity and survival in a dose-dependent manner, with food source type modulating the severity of toxicity effects.
Uptake of plastic microbeads by ciliate Paramecium aurelia
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This study demonstrated that the single-celled ciliate Paramecium aurelia ingests polystyrene microbeads, with particle uptake depending on concentration and exposure time. Even single-celled protists that are foundational to aquatic food webs can take up microplastics, potentially concentrating particles that are then transferred to organisms that feed on them.
Effect of microplastic particles on viability of the selected ciliated protozoa
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Researchers exposed three species of freshwater ciliates to polystyrene microbeads (1 and 2 µm) at two concentrations and found species-specific, concentration-dependent effects on population growth and ingestion rates. Ciliates are a key component of the microbial food web, and their ingestion of microplastics means these particles can be transferred to higher trophic levels even through microscopic organisms. The variable responses across species underscore the need for multi-species assessments when evaluating microplastic ecotoxicity.
Recycled polyvinyl chloride microplastics: investigation of environmentally relevant concentrations on toxicity in adult zebrafish
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Researchers investigated the toxicity of recycled PVC microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations in adult zebrafish, finding that these particles release chemicals that cause measurable toxic effects in exposed organisms.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.