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Polystyrene microplastics increase Pb bioaccumulation and health damage in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics significantly increased the accumulation of lead in the tissues of Chinese mitten crabs when both pollutants were present together. The combined exposure caused more severe oxidative stress, disrupted fat metabolism, and increased liver damage compared to lead exposure alone. The study suggests that microplastics can act as carriers for heavy metals in aquatic environments, amplifying their toxic effects on commercially important seafood species.
Microplastics may be potential vectors for environmental contaminants such as heavy metals in the aquatic ecosystem due to their highly hydrophobic surfaces and fugacity property. To investigate the combined effects of microplastics with Pb, we exposed juvenile Chinese mitten crabs Eriocheir sinensis to different Pb concentrations (0, 5 and 50 μg/L) combined with microplastics (0 and 400 μg/L) for 21 days to determine the Pb bioaccumulation, oxidative stress, lipid anabolism, and histopathology of hepatopancreas. In general, the results showed that compared to single Pb exposure, the combination of MPs and Pb significantly increased the bioaccumulation of Pb, activities/content of antioxidant biomarkers and lipid metabolism enzymes, and liver injury parameters in crabs, indicating MPs are potential vector of heavy metals and co-exposure exerts more severe effects on crabs. This study provides the insights into the oxidative defense and preliminary lipid anabolism of economic crustaceans in response to combined stress of Pb and MPs.
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Researchers exposed juvenile Chinese mitten crabs to polystyrene microplastics and found that the particles accumulated in gill, liver, and gut tissues, causing oxidative stress in the liver. Higher microplastic concentrations reduced growth rates and caused measurable changes in liver enzyme activity. The study provides evidence that microplastic pollution can impair the growth and liver health of commercially important crustacean species.
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Researchers exposed mangrove fiddler crabs to microplastics and lead, both alone and in combination, to assess their joint toxic effects. They found that co-exposure synergistically increased lead bioaccumulation, oxygen consumption, and lipid peroxidation while suppressing antioxidant enzyme activity. The study suggests that microplastics can amplify the physiological harm of heavy metal contamination in sensitive mangrove ecosystems.
Individual and combined impact of microplastics and lead acetate on the freshwater shrimp (Caridina fossarum): Biochemical effects and physiological responses
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Freshwater shrimp exposed to polyethylene microplastics combined with lead showed significantly worse toxic effects than when exposed to either pollutant alone, with microplastics increasing how much lead accumulated in the shrimp's tissues. This demonstrates that microplastics can act as carriers that amplify the toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic food chains, potentially increasing human exposure to dangerous metals through seafood.
Low pH aggravates the toxicity of polystyrene microplastics in crab Eriocheir sinensis: Evidence from metabolome and intestinal microflora
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Researchers found that combining acidic water (low pH) with polystyrene microplastics caused worse harm to Chinese mitten crabs than either stressor alone, disrupting their immune system, energy metabolism, and gut bacteria. The findings highlight that climate change-driven water acidification could amplify the toxicity of microplastics in freshwater wildlife.
Exposure to Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Polystyrene Microplastics Increases Hexavalent Chromium Toxicity in Aquatic Animals
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Researchers found that environmentally relevant concentrations of polystyrene microplastics significantly increased the toxicity of hexavalent chromium across multiple aquatic species, acting as vectors that amplify heavy metal harm.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.