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Toxicity evaluation of polypropylene microplastic on marine microcrustacean Artemia salina: An analysis of implications and vulnerability
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Researchers prepared polypropylene microplastics and tested their toxic effects on the marine crustacean Artemia salina at different life stages. They found that the particles accumulated in the organisms' digestive tracts and caused significant mortality, particularly in the earliest developmental stages. The study demonstrates that polypropylene microplastics pose a real threat to small marine organisms that form the base of ocean food webs.
Polypropylene microplastic particles are one of the predominant pollutants in marine ecosystems and their toxic effects are unknown in aquatic biota. The study aims to prepare the spherical shaped polypropylene microplastics (size range 11.86 μm-44.62 μm) and assess their toxic effects (1, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg/mL) in various life stages (nauplii, metanauplii and juvenile) of marine microcrustacean Artemia salina within 48 h. In addition, microplastics ingestion by Artemia nauplii was proved by FTIR analysis. The results revealed, microplastics accumulation in their tract leads to change in their homeostasis, as followed increase in the oxidative burst causes mortality in nauplii (LC 40.947 μg/mL) and meta nauplii (LC 51.954 μg/mL). In juvenile, swimming behaviour was changed. Moreover, microplastic consumption disturbs the antioxidant biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione -S- Transferase (GST) and reduces the neurotransmitter enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. In addition, histology of juvenile Artemia showed damage in epithelial cells. This study indicates that exposure to polypropylene microplastics is more harmful to zooplanktonic organisms of the marine ecosystem.
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Impacts of nanoplastics on Artemia franciscana larvae: effects on growth and proteins responses
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This laboratory study found that nanoplastic particles reduced growth and feeding rates in Artemia franciscana (brine shrimp) larvae in a dose-dependent manner. The results demonstrate that nanoplastics — the smallest and potentially most biologically active plastic particles — can harm early-life-stage marine crustaceans at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Comparative toxicity of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene nanoplastics on Artemia franciscana nauplii: a multidimensional assessment
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Researchers compared the toxic effects of three common plastic types — polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene — in nanoplastic form on brine shrimp larvae. They found that all three types caused harm, but polystyrene nanoplastics were the most toxic across multiple biological measures. The study provides the first direct comparison showing that the chemical composition of nanoplastics significantly influences their toxicity to aquatic organisms.
The uptake and elimination of polystyrene microplastics by the brine shrimp, Artemia parthenogenetica, and its impact on its feeding behavior and intestinal histology
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Researchers studied the uptake, elimination, and intestinal effects of polystyrene microplastics on brine shrimp larvae. They found that the larvae ingested microplastics at rates dependent on concentration, exposure time, and food availability, and that the particles caused intestinal damage. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination can harm the health and feeding behavior of zooplankton larvae, which are critical components of marine food webs.
Impacts of some recyclable plastic on marine key species
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Testing three types of microplastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene) from common packaging against marine crustaceans and algae, researchers found that polypropylene was acutely toxic to all crustacean species tested, while polystyrene was toxic to one amphipod species, but leachates from all plastics were non-toxic. The results highlight that microplastic toxicity varies significantly by polymer type and organism, meaning blanket risk assessments may miss species-specific harms.
Ingestion and bioaccumulation of polystyrene nanoplastics and their effects on the microalgal feeding of Artemia franciscana
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Brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics ingested and bioaccumulated the particles, which also affected their feeding behavior on microalgae and caused changes in gut microbiota. These effects on a widely used aquaculture species raise concerns about nanoplastic contamination in marine food production.
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