We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Toxicity and behavioral response of zebrafish exposed to combined microplastic and bisphenol analogues
AI summary Read the abstract
Co-exposure of zebrafish larvae to polystyrene microplastics combined with bisphenol A or F increased larval lethality by 7–51% compared to either pollutant alone, while also causing stronger behavioral effects including reduced movement and activity. This synergistic toxicity — not seen in embryos — highlights the danger of treating microplastics and chemical contaminants as independent hazards, since real-world exposures are always mixed.
Microplastics and bisphenol analogues are emerging environmental pollutants widely occurring in freshwaters. Harmful effects of microplastics and bisphenols have been studied individually, yet there is few knowledge on their combined effect. Here, we conducted acute toxicity tests using embryonic and larval zebrafish to assess the combined lethality after co-exposure of bisphenol A or F and 0.5- and 25-μm polystyrene microplastic particles. We monitored the accumulation of microplastics in zebrafish. We also studied the impact on the behavior of larval zebrafish. Results show that co-exposure of bisphenols and polystyrene microplastics increased lethality of larvae by 6.8–51% for bisphenol F and by 6.7–30.1% for bisphenol A. However, the bisphenol lethality toward embryos remains unchanged in the presence of microplastics. Fluorescence analysis shows that 0.5- and 25-μm microplastics accumulate in the larvae gastrointestinal area in a dose-dependent pattern, but did not concentrate in the embryo. Overall, co-exposure of polystyrene microplastics and bisphenol analogues displayed stronger behavioral effects, e.g. reduced moving distance and activity,) toward zebrafish larvae, compared with single pollutant exposure.
More Papers Like This
Recent advances of microplastics toxicity and fate on zebrafish-a review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review synthesizes evidence on how micro- and nanoplastics cause developmental, reproductive, gastrointestinal, and oxidative stress toxicity in zebrafish, positioning the species as a valuable vertebrate model for understanding plastic pollutant effects across trophic levels. Zebrafish research is accelerating mechanistic understanding of how microplastics harm vertebrate biology, providing insights relevant to assessing risks for fish-eating wildlife and humans.
Bioaccumulation and Toxic Effects of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Zebrafish: A Critical Review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers comprehensively reviewed micro- and nanoplastic bioaccumulation and toxicity in zebrafish, finding that these particles accumulate in digestive organs, gills, liver, and brain, inducing oxidative stress, developmental delays, neurotoxicity, and transgenerational reproductive impairments that highlight broad ecological risks.
Acute Effects of Size Dependent Low-Density Polyethylene Microplastics on Zebrafish
AI summary Read the abstract
Zebrafish embryos exposed to low-density polyethylene microplastics for 48 hours accumulated particles in their gut, experienced reduced hatching rates, increased heart rates, and significant tissue damage, with smaller particles causing the most harm. These acute effects in a widely used model organism suggest that even brief early-life exposure to plastic particles can disrupt normal development.
Simulated Environmental Nanoplastics Induce Zebrafish Developmental Toxicity and Stress Response
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists exposed zebrafish embryos to nanoplastics that were specially broken down to mimic how plastic actually degrades in oceans and rivers, and found they caused more harm than the lab-made plastic beads typically used in research, stunting growth, slowing hatching, and triggering stress hormone spikes even at very low doses. Because these effects showed up at concentrations similar to what's found in real water sources, the findings suggest current safety testing may be underestimating the risks nanoplastics pose to both aquatic life and, potentially, to people who drink that water or eat seafood from it.
Physiological Alterations and Immune Modulation in Fish Exposed to Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the physiological and immunological effects of microplastic exposure in fish, finding that these particles smaller than 5 mm induce a range of biological disruptions including immune modulation, oxidative stress, and systemic health impacts with broader implications for aquatic ecosystem integrity.
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.