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Polylactic acid versus polypropylene microplastics: ecotoxicological effects on Gammarus aequicauda using a multi-level approach
Marine Pollution Bulletin2026
Score: 50
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Luisa Albarano,
Francesca Biandolino,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Amalia Amato,
Amalia Amato,
Giovanni Libralato
Loredana Manfra,
Ermelinda Prato,
Amalia Amato,
Amalia Amato,
Amalia Amato,
Amalia Amato,
Francesca Biandolino,
Amalia Amato,
Amalia Amato,
Loredana Manfra,
Amalia Amato,
Giovanni Libralato
Amalia Amato,
Francesca Biandolino,
Luisa Albarano,
Loredana Manfra,
Giovanni Libralato
Francesca Biandolino,
Luisa Albarano,
Loredana Manfra,
Francesca Biandolino,
Amalia Amato,
Ermelinda Prato,
Ermelinda Prato,
Amalia Amato,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Francesca Biandolino,
Loredana Manfra,
Maria Costantini,
Loredana Manfra,
Maria Costantini,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Giovanni Libralato
Loredana Manfra,
Ermelinda Prato,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Giovanni Libralato
Amalia Amato,
Francesca Biandolino,
Francesca Biandolino,
Amalia Amato,
Luisa Albarano,
Loredana Manfra,
Giovanni Libralato
Loredana Manfra,
Giovanni Libralato
Giovanni Libralato
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Ermelinda Prato,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Giovanni Libralato
Francesca Biandolino,
Loredana Manfra,
Ermelinda Prato,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Ermelinda Prato,
Giovanni Libralato
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Giovanni Libralato
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Maria Costantini,
Loredana Manfra,
Giovanni Libralato
Maria Costantini,
Loredana Manfra,
Giovanni Libralato
Giovanni Libralato
Giovanni Libralato
Valerio Zupo,
Loredana Manfra,
Maria Costantini,
Loredana Manfra,
Giovanni Libralato
Giovanni Libralato
Giovanni Libralato
Giovanni Libralato
Valerio Zupo,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Loredana Manfra,
Maria Costantini,
Loredana Manfra,
Giovanni Libralato
Luisa Albarano,
Ermelinda Prato,
Maria Costantini,
Loredana Manfra,
Valerio Zupo,
Giovanni Libralato
Giovanni Libralato
Valerio Zupo,
Giovanni Libralato
Maria Costantini,
Ermelinda Prato,
Maria Costantini,
Maria Costantini,
Maria Costantini,
Maria Costantini,
Giovanni Libralato
Maria Costantini,
Giovanni Libralato
Giovanni Libralato
Summary
Researchers compared the ecotoxicological effects of bioplastic (polylactic acid) and fossil-based (polypropylene) microplastics on the amphipod Gammarus aequicauda over 60 days. Both types caused significant growth reduction by day 45, but polypropylene exposure led to lower survival rates and more pronounced reproductive impairment, while gene expression analysis showed both types induced similar stress responses over time.
This study compared the effects of microplastics (MPs) originating from a fossil-based polymer (polypropylene, PP) and a bioplastic (polylactic acid, PLA) on the amphipod Gammarus aequicauda. Microplastics (38-220 μm) derived from commercial disposable products were used to evaluate acute toxicity, yielding 96-h LC₅₀ values of >100 mg/L for PLA and 34.71 mg/L for PP. Both MP types were further tested under sub-lethal conditions (5 mg/L) over a 60-day exposure period to assess impacts on growth and reproduction. Chronic exposure resulted in a significant reduction in growth in both PLA- and PP-treated groups beginning at day 45, with PP-exposed individuals also showing the lowest survival rates. Additionally, PLA and PP exposure prolonged embryonic development compared with controls. Reproductive impairment was most pronounced in the PP treatment, which exhibited significant decreases in the number of ovigerous females and in total offspring, alongside an increase in aborted eggs. Seven stress-related genes were identified for the first time in G. aequicauda, and their expression was quantified by RT-qPCR following 15, 30, and 45 days of exposure. Gene expression profiles showed complex, time-dependent responses, with both MP types inducing largely similar transcriptional patterns by day 45, characterized by up-regulation of most target genes. Overall, the results demonstrate that commercially derived PP and PLA microplastics can elicit physiological and reproductive stress in G. aequicauda, underscoring their potential ecological risk.