We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Adapting standardised toxicity tests for anthropogenic particles using a copepod model organism
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers adapted standardized toxicity test protocols for anthropogenic particles using the coastal copepod Acartia tonsa, exposing adults to 0-1 µg/mL of a tripolymer microplastic blend and measuring adult mortality, feeding rate, egg production, hatching success, juvenile mortality, larval development, and copepodite size as lethal and sub-lethal endpoints.
To evaluate the risks posed by anthropogenic particles requires toxicity tests that can be used to determine thresholds for lethal and sub-lethal effects in representative biota. A plethora of toxicity tests are available for waterborne chemicals, but these protocols are often inappropriate for testing anthropogenic particulates such as microplastics. Here we adapt, optimise and trial the use of adapted partial life-cycle and 72 h lethal toxicity tests for anthropogenic particles using the globally-distributed, coastal and estuarine copepod Acartia tonsa. Trial exposures used 0-1 µg/mL of a tripolymer microplastic blend comprising cryoground polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon particles (5-100 µm). Adult female copepods were incubated with microplastics for 5 days and subsequently used in a 24-hour feeding and egg production experiment, allowing for determination of adult mortality, feeding rate, egg production rate and egg size. Copepod eggs were then incubated until ¿50% of progeny had moulted into copepodite stage; preserved samples were subsequently used to calculate hatching success, juvenile mortality, larval development ratio and copepodite size. Here we discuss how existing protocols can be adapted for particle toxicity testing, and present lethal and sub-lethal (feeding, fecundity, development, growth) dose concentrations for microplastics. The test provides a method for comparing the toxicity of anthropogenic particles, with the focus on apical endpoints (survival, growth, reproduction) which are of high relevance to ecosystem health. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/426204/document
More Papers Like This
Acute and partial life-cycle toxicity of a tri-polymer blend of microplastics in the copepod Acartia tonsa
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested the toxicity of an environmentally realistic tri-polymer microplastic blend on the copepod Acartia tonsa using standardized methods adapted from ISO protocols. They found that the microplastic mixture caused significant mortality, with a 72-hour lethal concentration of 182 micrograms per liter, and also affected egg size and larval development. The study provides a reproducible baseline for microplastic toxicity testing using environmentally relevant particle mixtures rather than single-polymer beads.
A 2-Tier standard method to test the toxicity of microplastics in marine water using Paracentrotus lividus and Acartia clausi larvae
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a two-tier standardized toxicity testing protocol using sea urchin and copepod larvae to assess the toxicity of microplastics to marine plankton. Standardized protocols are critical for generating comparable ecotoxicological data to support regulatory decision-making on microplastic pollution.
Polyethylene microplastics increase the toxicity of chlorpyrifos to the marine copepod Acartia tonsa
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the combined effects of polyethylene microplastics and the pesticide chlorpyrifos on the marine copepod Acartia tonsa. The study found that microplastics significantly increased the toxicity of chlorpyrifos, lowering the lethal concentration by approximately four-fold and dramatically reducing feeding and egg production. The findings confirm that microplastics can act as vectors for pollutants, increasing their availability and potential harm to marine organisms.
Effect of environmentally relevant concentrations of potentially toxic microplastic on coastal copepods
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested the effects of tire wear particles (TWP) on feeding, reproduction, and fecal pellet production in two common coastal copepod species. They found that at environmentally realistic concentrations, tire wear particles caused no significant adverse effects on these zooplankton. The results suggest that copepods may be less sensitive to TWP than previously feared, though higher concentrations remain a concern.
Effect of environmentally relevant concentrations of potentially toxic microplastic on coastal copepods
AI summary Read the abstract
This study tested the effects of tire wear particles (TWP), a type of toxic microplastic, on two coastal copepod species at environmentally realistic concentrations, finding reduced feeding and reproduction rates even at low doses. Tire wear particles are abundant in coastal waters and may be suppressing populations of these zooplankton, which are foundational to marine food webs.
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.