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Combined effects of nanoplastics and heavy metal on antioxidant parameters of juvenile tri-spine horseshoe crabs
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Researchers found that combined exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and copper ions caused greater oxidative stress in juvenile tri-spine horseshoe crabs than either stressor alone, with antioxidant enzyme levels remaining disrupted even after a seven-day recovery period.
Juvenile tri-spine horseshoe crabs ( Tachypleus tridentatus ) were exposed to determine the effects of single and combined stresses of polystyrene nanoplastics (nano-PS) and heavy metal (Cu 2+ ) on antioxidant enzyme parameters. The juveniles were exposed to a 21-day 100-nm polystyrene concentration (10 4 particles l -1 ) and a concentration of Cu 2+ (10 µg l -1 ) followed by a recovery period of 7 days. The in vivo antioxidant activity for whole horseshoe crab was analyzed. The results revealed that all antioxidant parameters, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and lipid peroxidation (LPO), showed both increased and decreased levels in different experimental groups of horseshoe crabs having different experimental conditions compared to the control group at three time points, i.e., on days 7, 14, and 21. Similarly during the recovery period, SOD, CAT, and MDA showed decreased levels in all experimental groups, while GSH and LPO showed increased levels in all experimental groups of horseshoe crabs under the influence of different experimental conditions of nanoplastics and heavy metals compared to the control group on day 28. These results showed that the exposure of nano-PS and Cu 2+ had precise effects on juvenile horseshoe crabs. Integrated biomarker responses showed that nano-PS and Cu 2+ had adverse effects on juvenile horseshoe crabs. By principal component analysis, the potentially toxic effects of nano-PS and Cu 2+ on horseshoe crabs were obtained.
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This study found that nanoplastics and copper together caused more damage to crab gill tissue than either pollutant alone, disrupting the animals' antioxidant defenses, metabolism, and immune function. The combined exposure suppressed important detoxification genes that help the crabs cope with environmental stress. Since crabs are a common seafood, these findings raise concerns about how co-occurring pollutants in waterways could affect both aquatic life and the safety of shellfish for human consumption.
Response of moulting genes and gut microbiome to nano-plastics and copper in juvenile horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus
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Researchers exposed juvenile horseshoe crabs to polystyrene nanoplastics and copper, both alone and in combination, and found that combined exposure significantly altered molting gene expression and disrupted gut microbial communities. The nanoplastics and copper together triggered stress responses not seen with either pollutant alone, including changes in heat shock protein and hormone receptor gene activity. The study raises concerns about how multiple pollutants in coastal waters may jointly affect the development of this ancient and ecologically important species.
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Researchers exposed juvenile horseshoe crabs to an antibiotic (norfloxacin) and polystyrene nanoparticles, finding that both pollutants disrupted gut microbiota composition and suppressed key metabolic pathways in the microbiome, while antioxidant defenses eventually compensated for initial oxidative stress after extended exposure.
Oxidative Stress in Far Eastern Mussel Mytilus trossulus (Gould, 1850) Exposed to Combined Polystyrene Microspheres (µPSs) and CuO-Nanoparticles (CuO-NPs)
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Researchers exposed the marine mussel Mytilus trossulus to polystyrene microspheres and copper oxide nanoparticles alone and in combination for 5 days, finding that both contaminants induced oxidative stress and that combined exposure enhanced lysosomal membrane damage compared to single exposures. The battery of biomarkers including lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity, and DNA damage provided a sensitive profile of combined toxicity.
Polystyrene nanoplastics at predicted environmental concentrations enhance the toxicity of copper on Caenorhabditis elegans
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Even at low concentrations found in the environment, polystyrene nanoplastics significantly increased copper toxicity in roundworms by boosting oxidative stress and triggering stress-response genes. The nanoplastics alone did not cause obvious harm, but when combined with copper, the damage was much worse than copper alone. This is concerning because in real-world soil and water, nanoplastics and heavy metals often occur together, potentially creating greater health risks than either pollutant individually.
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