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Microplastic and oil pollutant agglomerates synergistically intensify toxicity in the marine fish, Asian seabass, Lates calcalifer
Summary
Researchers exposed Asian seabass fry to polystyrene microplastics, oil, and their combined agglomerates for 15 days. The study found synergistic toxic effects from the combined exposure, including altered blood parameters and tissue lesions in gills, liver, and intestine, suggesting that microplastic-oil agglomerates intensify toxicity beyond what either pollutant causes alone.
Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer frys were exposed to polystyrene (MP: 0.5 mg/l), oil (0.83 ml/l) and agglomerates (MP + oil + Corexit) as eight treatments in three replicates, and fresh synthetic marine water (control) for 15 days. The synergistic effect was confirmed (P ˂ 0.05) by bio-indicators including RBC count, total plasma protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), basophils, thrombocyte and eosinophils percentages. Most of the significant and synergistic effects were observed in the highest doses (5 mg/l MP and 5 mg/l MP-oil-dispersant). Exposure to MP and a combination of MP+ oil caused tissue lesions in gill, liver and intestine. Our results suggest there are no critical health issues for Asian seabass in natural environments. However, the bioaccumulation of MPs, oil, and their agglomerates in consumers' bodies may remain a concern.
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