We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Toxic impact of polystyrene microplastic particles in freshwater organisms
Summary
Researchers tested the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastics on four freshwater species including algae, rotifers, crustaceans, and ostracods. They found that water fleas were the most sensitive, with chronic effects appearing at very low concentrations, and that microplastics caused both DNA damage and increased production of reactive oxygen species. The study highlights that even at relatively low concentrations, microplastics can pose a meaningful threat to freshwater ecosystems.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is leading to an increase of the global production of plastics since the use of personal protective equipment (PPEs, i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, packaging items), has become mandatory to prevent the spread of the virus. Plastic breaks down into micro/nano particles due to physical or chemical or biological actions into environment. Due to small dimensions, ubiquitous and persistent nature, the plastic particles represent a significant threat to ecosystems and can entry into food chains. Among the plastic polymers used for PPEs, polystyrene is less studied regarding its eco-geno-toxicity. This study aims to investigate acute, chronic and subchronic effects of the microplastic polystyrene beads (PS-MP, size 1.0 μm) on three freshwater species, the alga Raphidocelis subcapitata, the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus, the crustacean Ceriodaphnia dubia and the benthic ostracod Heterocypris incongruens. Furthermore, the potential genotoxicity and the ROS production due to the PS-MP were also determined in C. dubia. Results revealed that the acute effects occurred at concentrations of PS-MP in the order of dozens of mg/L in B. calyciflorus and C. dubia and hundreds of mg/L in H. incongruens. Regarding long-term toxicity, increasing chronic effects with EC50s in the order of units (C. dubia), hundreds (B. calyciflorus) and thousands (R. subcapitata) of μg/L were observed. Both for acute and chronic/sub chronic toxicity, daphnids were more sensitive to polystyrene than ostracods. Moreover, when C. dubia neonates were exposed to the PS-MP, alterations in genetic material as well as the production of ROS occurred, starting from concentrations in the order of units of μg/L, probably due to inflammatory responses. At last, the risk quotient (RQ) as a measure of risk posed by PS-MPs in freshwater environment, was calculated obtaining a value of 7.2, higher than the threshold value of 1.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in market bivalves from South Korea
Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene microplastics on the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna, a key species in aquatic food webs. They found that microplastic exposure impaired reproduction, reduced growth, and caused oxidative stress even at relatively low concentrations. The study highlights that these tiny plastic particles can harm small freshwater organisms that play a critical role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Trophic transfer and individual impact of nano-sized polystyrene in a four-species freshwater food chain
Researchers traced nano-sized polystyrene plastics through a four-species freshwater food chain — from algae to water fleas to two fish species — finding that nanoplastics transferred at each level and caused reduced activity, liver damage in fish, and penetration into fish embryos. The results highlight the broad ecological and health risks of nanoplastics moving up through aquatic food webs.
Acute and chronic effects of polystyrene microplastics on juvenile and adult Daphnia magna
Researchers investigated the short- and long-term effects of polystyrene microplastics on juvenile and adult water fleas (Daphnia magna). While the particles were not acutely toxic within 48 hours, chronic exposure reduced growth, fecundity, and offspring body size. The study indicates that even at sublethal concentrations, microplastics can impair reproduction and development in this ecologically important freshwater organism.
Effect of polystyrene nanoplastics on its toxicity and reproduction in Philodina roseola
Researchers tested the effects of 50 nm and 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics on a freshwater rotifer species and found that the smaller particles were more toxic. Exposure caused oxidative stress, reduced protein levels, and impaired reproduction at concentrations well below those typically tested in laboratory studies. The findings highlight that even very tiny plastic particles can significantly harm microscopic aquatic organisms that form the base of freshwater food webs.
Potential for high toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics to the European Daphnia longispina
Researchers exposed water fleas (Daphnia) to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that 50 nm particles were thousands of times more toxic per unit mass than 100 nm particles, with effects comparable to highly regulated toxic chemicals. The results highlight how particle size dramatically changes nanoplastic hazard and challenge the assumption that microplastics pose low ecological risk.