We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Influence of Particle Size on Ecotoxicity of Low-Density Polyethylene Microplastics, with and without Adsorbed Benzo-a-Pyrene, in Clam Scrobicularia plana
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that smaller polyethylene microplastics (4-6 µm) caused greater biomarker alterations in clam gills, while the digestive gland was more affected overall, suggesting particle size influences microplastic ecotoxicity in marine bivalves.
This study investigated the ecotoxicological effects of differently sized (4-6 µm and 20-25 µm) low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics (MPs), with and without adsorbed benzo-a-pyrene (BaP), in clam Scrobicularia plana. Biomarkers of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase-SOD; catalase-CAT), biotransformation (glutathione-S-transferases-GST), oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation-LPO) and neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase-AChE) were analysed in gills and digestive glands at different time intervals for a total of 14 days of exposure. In order to have a better impact perspective of these contaminants, an integrated biomarker response index (IBR) and Health Index were applied. Biomarker alterations are apparently more related to smaller sized (4-6 µm) MPs in gills and to virgin LDPE MPs in the digestive gland according to IBR results, while the digestive gland was more affected by these MPs according to the health index.
More Papers Like This
Continuum from microplastics to nanoplastics: effects of size and source on the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana to environmentally realistic concentrations of both microplastics and nanoplastics to compare their toxic effects. The study found that particle size influenced toxicity profiles differently in gill and digestive gland tissues, suggesting that nanoplastics may pose distinct ecotoxicological risks compared to larger microplastic particles in estuarine organisms.
Continuum of size from microplastics to nanoplastics: effects on the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana at different levels of biological organization.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana to environmental microplastics and nanoplastics at low concentrations (0.008-100 ug/L), along with standard polystyrene nanoplastics, finding ecotoxicological effects on gills and digestive gland tissues at multiple levels of biological organisation.
Effects of virgin and BaP-adsorbed microplastics ingestion by Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed Manila clams to various microplastic polymer types, shapes, and concentrations, finding that clams preferentially ingested sphere-shaped particles due to their resemblance to microalgae, and that feeding rates declined as microplastic concentrations increased. The addition of benzo[a]pyrene as a co-stressor showed that microplastics can act as vectors for transporting hydrophobic contaminants into bivalve tissues.
Impacts of size-fractionation on toxicity of marine microplastics: Enhanced integrated biomarker assessment in the tropical mussels, Perna viridis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how different sizes of polystyrene microplastics (0.5, 5, and 50 micrometers) affect toxicity in tropical green mussels. The study found that smaller microplastics caused greater bioaccumulation and more severe toxic effects, including oxidative stress and tissue damage, indicating that size is a critical factor in determining microplastic toxicity in marine organisms.
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) adsorbed to polyethylene microplastics: Accumulation and ecotoxicological effects in the clam Scrobicularia plana
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed clams to polyethylene microplastics of two sizes, with and without adsorbed PFOS, over 14 days to assess accumulation and toxicity. The study found that microplastic ingestion and PFOS accumulation were size-dependent, with both types of microplastics generating reactive oxygen species and disrupting antioxidant systems in gill and digestive gland tissues, confirming that microplastics can act as vectors for persistent chemical pollutants in marine bivalves.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.