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Phenotypic toxicity, oxidative response, and transcriptomic deregulation of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis exposed to a toxic cocktail of tire-wear particle leachate
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Researchers exposed the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis to tire-wear particle leachate and observed acute toxicity, oxidative stress, and widespread changes in gene expression related to cellular processes and metabolism. The study suggests that tire-wear particles may pose a greater threat to marine organisms than other microplastics because they release a complex cocktail of nano-sized particles and chemical additives with synergistic toxic effects.
Tire-wear particles (TWPs) are potential source of microplastic (MP) pollution in marine environments. Although the hazardous effects of MPs on marine biota have received considerable attention, the toxicity of TWPs and associated leachates remain poorly understood. Here, to assess the toxicity of TWP leachate and the underlying mechanisms of toxicity, the phenotypic and transcriptomic responses of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis were assessed with chemistry analysis of a TWP leachate. Although acute toxicity was induced, and a variety of metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbons were detected in the leachate, levels were below the threshold for acute toxicity. The results of particle analysis suggest that the acute toxicity observed in our study is the result of a toxic cocktail of micro- and/or nano-sized TWPs and other additives in TWP leachate. The adverse effects of TWP leachate were associated with differential expression of genes related to cellular processes, stress response, and impaired metabolism, with further oxidative stress responses. Our results imply that TWPs pose a greater threat to marine biota than other plastic particles as they constitute a major source of nano- and microplastics that have synergistic effects with the additives contained in TWP leachate.
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