We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
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.
Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and microplastics (MPs), such as fossil-based polymers polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and bio-based plastics polylactic acid (PLA) are abundant in e-waste dismantling areas. However, the information on the effects of DBDPE combined with MPs (DBDPE-MPs) on earthworms is still limited. In this study, we explored the impacts of DBDPE-MPs on neurotoxic biomarkers, tissue damage, and transcriptomics of Eisenia fetida by simulating different exposure patterns of 10 mg kg DBDPE and 10 mg kg DBDPE-MPs (PLA, PP, and PE). Results showed that the activities of acetylcholinesterase, Na/K-ATPase, Ca/Mg-ATPase, carboxylate enzyme, and the contents of calcium and glutamate were significantly stimulated. DBDPE-MP co-exposure caused more severe damage to the epidermis, muscles, and tissues. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of DBDPE-MPs were mainly related to inflammation, the immune system, digestive system, endocrine system, and metabolism. DBDPE and PP-MPs had similar influences on immunity and metabolism. However, DBDPE-PLA and DBDPE-PE further affected the endocrine system and signaling pathways. Specific DEGs showed that detoxification systems in the case of MPs were significantly upregulated. The study indicated that MPs exacerbated DBDPE toxicity in the nervous system, epidermis, and gene regulation of E. fetida, helping to assess the ecological risks of e-wastes and microplastics in soil.
More Papers Like This
Ecotoxicological effects of co-exposure biodegradable microplastics polylactic acid with cadmium are higher than conventional microplastics polystyrene with cadmium on the earthworm
AI summary Read the abstract
This study compared the effects of biodegradable PLA microplastics and conventional polystyrene microplastics when combined with cadmium (a toxic heavy metal) on earthworms. Surprisingly, the biodegradable PLA combined with cadmium was more toxic than the conventional plastic combination, causing greater DNA damage and more disruption to antioxidant defenses. This challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safer for the environment and raises questions about their use as a replacement for conventional plastics.
Effects of conventional versus biodegradable microplastic exposure on oxidative stress and gut microorganisms in earthworms: A comparison with two different soils
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the toxic effects of conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics on earthworms in two different soil types. Both types of microplastic caused oxidative stress and altered gut microbiota in earthworms, with toxicity increasing at higher concentrations. The study found that microplastic concentration was more important than the type of plastic or soil in determining the level of harm, and that biodegradable plastics were not necessarily safer for soil organisms.
Biodegradable microplastics exert differential impacts from polyethylene on pesticide fate in soil-earthworm systems: insights into degradation selectivity and microbial mechanisms
AI summary Read the abstract
This study compared how conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics affect pesticide behavior in soil with earthworms. Researchers found that PLA at high concentrations actually accelerated pesticide breakdown and increased the accumulation of pesticide byproducts in earthworms by up to 82%, while also causing oxidative stress and gut bacteria disruption, suggesting biodegradable plastics may pose their own set of environmental risks.
The comparison effect on earthworms between conventional and biodegradable microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the effects of conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics on earthworms over an extended exposure period. They found that biodegradable microplastics caused comparable or even greater harm than conventional plastics at certain concentrations, including reduced growth and reproduction. The findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are inherently safer for soil organisms.
Comparison of the potential toxicity induced by microplastics made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polylactic acid (PLA) on the earthworm Eisenia foetida
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the toxicity of microplastics made from conventional PET plastic and biodegradable PLA plastic on earthworms. Surprisingly, the supposedly eco-friendly PLA particles caused more harm than PET, triggering oxidative stress, tissue damage, and behavioral changes in the worms. This challenges the assumption that bioplastics are always safer for soil organisms than traditional plastics.
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.