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Physiological response and oxidative stress of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) under single and combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastics and cadmium
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Researchers examined the individual and combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastics and cadmium on grass carp. The study found that fish mortality increased with higher concentrations and that the presence of microplastics elevated cadmium concentration effects, with combined exposure inducing greater oxidative stress than either contaminant alone.
The harm of microplastics (MPs) to aquatic ecosystems is caused by their stable and non-degradable properties. Additionally, the pollutants such as heavy metals in the water are easy to be adsorbed on their surface with their small particle size and large specific surface area, resulting in environmental pollution. Therefore, the study on the mixture toxicity of MPs and heavy metals has theoretical significance for the risk assessment of aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, 10 nm polystyrene (PS) and cadmium (Cd) were used, and their individual and mixture acute toxicities on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) were examined. The results indicated that the mortality of the fish increased with the concentration from 10 mg L to 20 mg L, and the existence of PS-MPs elevated the Cd concentrations in the fish and accelerated the death. Whether the Cd and/or the PS-MPs concentrations caused varying degrees of damage to the gills, kidney, liver, and muscles of the grass carp, especially under the highest concentrations (20 mg L Cd + 300 μg L PS-MPs). Moreover, low concentrations of PS-MPs alone (30 μg L PS-MPs) significantly increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the kidney and liver, reaching 12.43% and 14.38%, respectively (P < 0.05). The peroxidase (POD) activity was increased only in the kidney, up to 25.95% (P < 0.05). Also, significant reductions in SOD and POD activities were observed in the combination of high concentration of Cd (20 mg L) and 300 μg L PS-MPs (P < 0.05). To the best of our knowledge, there are few studies on the impact of combined toxicity of PS-MPs and Cd on grass carp under laboratory conditions. Therefore, these findings may provide a theoretical guarantee for pollution prevention and control in the aquatic ecosystem.
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Researchers found that combined exposure to polystyrene microplastics and cadmium in juvenile grass carp caused greater physiological stress than either pollutant alone, with microplastics enhancing cadmium accumulation and intensifying oxidative stress and immune responses.
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Researchers investigated the individual and combined toxicity of cadmium and polystyrene microplastics on common carp over 30 days. They found that co-exposure to both pollutants produced more severe effects on liver enzymes, immune function, and biochemical markers than either pollutant alone. The study suggests that microplastics can enhance the toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic organisms, raising concerns about the combined impact of these co-occurring contaminants.
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Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene microplastics and cadmium, both alone and together, and found that the combination caused significantly worse effects than either pollutant individually. Co-exposure amplified oxidative stress, increased cell death in the spine and esophagus, and disrupted growth hormone pathways more severely than single exposures. The findings suggest that microplastics and heavy metals in waterways may interact to create heightened risks for developing fish.
Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on Ctenopharyngodon idella (grass carp) after individual and combined exposure with zinc oxide nanoparticles
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Researchers studied the individual and combined toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and zinc oxide nanoparticles on grass carp. They found that co-exposure caused more severe oxidative stress, immune suppression, and gill tissue damage than either pollutant alone. The study suggests that interactions between nanoplastics and metal nanoparticles in aquatic environments can produce synergistic toxic effects on freshwater fish.
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Scientists found that when tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) and the toxic metal cadmium combine in water, they cause much more severe liver damage in fish than either pollutant does alone—weakening the fish's ability to fight inflammation and manage cell damage. Since these pollutants often show up together in real waterways and grass carp are a widely eaten fish, this research suggests we may be underestimating the health risks of combined pollution exposure, both for aquatic life and potentially for the people who rely on these fish as a food source.
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