We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic ingestion induces asymmetry and oxidative stress in larvae of the sea urchin Pseudechinus huttoni
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed sea urchin (Pseudechinus huttoni) larvae to 1–5 µm microplastic spheres and found increased skeletal asymmetry and elevated reactive oxygen species, indicating that MP ingestion causes developmental disruption and oxidative stress during the sensitive larval stage.
Determining the effects of microplastic (MP) ingestion by marine organisms, especially during the sensitive larval stages, is an important step in understanding wider ecosystem responses. We investigated the ingestion, retention (1-5 μm), and short-term exposure effects (1-4 μm) of spherical MPs by larvae of the sea urchin Pseudechinus huttoni. Larvae ingested MPs in a dose-dependent manner and successfully egested particles after a short retention period. Survival was not significantly affected by exposure to MPs over the 10-day experimental period, however, a teratogenic response in terms of delayed development resulted in an increase of larval arm asymmetry. Additionally, MP exposure resulted in oxidative damage to lipids and proteins in larval body tissue despite a significant upregulation of antioxidant defences. The findings indicate MP exposure may impair cellular function, leading to negative consequences for an organism's fitness and survival.
More Papers Like This
Assessing the effect of microplastics on marine invertebrates: the consequence of exposure of sea urchin larvae to polystyrene microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed sea urchin larvae (Paracentrotus lividus) to polystyrene microplastics derived from commercial disposable plates and assessed effects on fertilization, embryogenesis, and larval development, finding significant impairment of early developmental stages at environmentally relevant concentrations.
How sea urchins face microplastics: Uptake, tissue distribution and immune system response
AI summary Read the abstract
Sea urchins exposed to polystyrene microplastics showed particle uptake across multiple tissues (including coelom and gonads), dose-dependent changes in immune cell populations, and elevated oxidative stress, with smaller particles causing greater harm than larger ones.
Microplastic-induced damage in early embryonal development of sea urchin Sphaerechinus granularis
AI summary Read the abstract
Polystyrene and PMMA microplastics of various sizes were tested on sea urchin embryos from fertilization to the pluteus larval stage, causing dose-dependent developmental defects, cytogenetic abnormalities, and mitotic disruption, with sperm exposure to both plastic types also producing transmissible damage to offspring. The findings reveal significant developmental, genotoxic, and multigenerational hazards from microplastic exposure in marine invertebrates.
Does microplastic induce oxidative stress in marine invertebrates
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined whether microplastic ingestion induces oxidative stress in marine invertebrates, finding evidence that microplastics can elevate reactive oxygen species and disrupt antioxidant defenses in species including mussels, sea urchins, and copepods. Oxidative stress is a key mechanism through which microplastics may cause cellular damage in marine animals.
Developmental Toxicity of Microplastic Leachates on Marine Larvae
AI summary Read the abstract
Chemical leachates from microplastics — the chemicals that wash off plastic surfaces — caused developmental abnormalities in marine sea urchin and bryozoan larvae at environmentally relevant concentrations. The findings suggest that chemical leaching from plastics may be as harmful as the particles themselves for marine organisms in early life stages.
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.