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Molecular impacts of dietary exposure to nanoplastics combined with arsenic in Canadian oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and bioaccumulation comparison with Caribbean oysters (Isognomon alatus)
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Researchers exposed Canadian oysters (Crassostrea virginica) to nanoplastics combined with arsenic and compared molecular responses and bioaccumulation with previously studied Caribbean oysters, finding species-specific differences in contaminant uptake and gene expression, suggesting that risk assessments must account for interspecies variability.
Despite the urge need to address the possible impact of plastic debris, up to now, little is known about the translocation of nanoplastics through the trophic web. Plus, due to their surface reactivity, nanoplastics could sorb and thus increase metals bioavailability to aquatic filter-feeding organisms (e.g., bivalves). In this study, we investigated the dietary exposure route on the oyster Crassostrea virginica through microalgae themselves exposed to three nanoplastic dispersions (PSL, PSC and NPG) at reportedly environmental concentrations combined or not with arsenic. Interactive effects of nanoplastics on arsenic bioaccumulation were studied, along with the expression of key genes in gills and visceral mass. The investigated gene functions were endocytosis (cltc), oxidative stress (gapdh, sod3, cat), mitochondrial metabolism (12S), cell cycle regulation (gadd45, p53), apoptosis (bax, bcl-2), detoxification (cyp1a, mdr, mt), and energy storage (vit). Results showcased that nanoplastic treatments combined with arsenic triggered synergetic effects on gene expressions. Relative mRNA level of 12S significantly increased at 10 and 100 μg L-1 for NPG combined with arsenic and for PSC combined with arsenic. Relative mRNA level of bax increased for PSL combined with arsenic and for PSC combined with arsenic at 10 and 100 μg L-1 respectively. We also observed that relative arsenic bioaccumulation was significantly higher in Crassostrea virginica gills compared to Isognomon alatus'. These results are the first comparative molecular effects of nanoplastics alone and combined with arsenic investigated in farmed C. virginica oysters. Together with I. alatus results we thus shed light on species different sensitivity.
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Molecular Impacts of Dietary Exposure to Nanoplastics Combined or Not with Arsenic in the Caribbean Mangrove Oysters (Isognomon alatus)
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Researchers exposed Caribbean mangrove oysters (Isognomon alatus) to three nanoplastic types alone and combined with arsenic and used transcriptomics to measure molecular impacts, finding that nanoplastic-arsenic combinations produced additive or synergistic disruption of detoxification, immune, and metabolic pathways.
Molecular impacts of nanoplastics combined with arsenic, comparative effects between Caribbean oysters (Isognomon alatus) and Canadian oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed via trophic route.
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This French-language thesis investigated the molecular effects of nanoplastics combined with arsenic on two oyster species — Caribbean (Isognomon alatus) and Canadian (Crassostrea virginica). The research found that nanoplastics can increase arsenic bioavailability in filter-feeding bivalves, amplifying heavy metal toxicity through co-exposure.
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This study examined both microplastic and arsenic contamination in oysters and mussels from the Chinese coastline, finding that the two pollutants coexist and interact. Oysters contained about 58 microplastic particles per gram, and the size of microplastics influenced which forms of arsenic were present. The findings highlight food safety concerns, since people who eat shellfish may be exposed to both microplastics and arsenic simultaneously.
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Researchers found that nanoplastics derived from real marine debris triggered more significant gene-level toxic responses in Caribbean oysters than commonly used laboratory polystyrene nanoplastics, suggesting standard lab particles may underestimate actual environmental toxicity.
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Researchers exposed Hong Kong oysters to polystyrene nanoplastics at both environmentally realistic and higher concentrations. Even at the lower, real-world concentrations, the nanoplastics significantly altered the oysters' gut bacteria and gene expression patterns, while higher doses also triggered immune and antioxidant stress responses, raising concerns about food safety and ecosystem health.
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