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Toxicities of microplastic fibers and granules on the development of zebrafish embryos and their combined effects with cadmium
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Researchers compared the toxicity of polyethylene terephthalate microplastic fibers versus granules on zebrafish embryo development, and examined their combined effects with cadmium. They found that fibrous microplastics caused more severe developmental abnormalities than granular particles, and both forms enhanced cadmium toxicity when present together. The study suggests that microplastic shape is an important factor in toxicity assessments and that fiber-shaped particles may pose greater risks to aquatic organisms.
Toxicity of microplastics (MPs) in granular form to aquatic animals has been frequently tested, whereas the effects of fibrous MPs remain further explored. In this study, the effects of polyethylene terephthalate granular particles (p-PET, approximately 150 μm in diameter) and fibers (f-PET, approximately 3-5 mm in length and 20 μm in diameter) on the development of zebrafish embryos and their joint effects with cadmium (Cd) were compared. p-PET and f-PET accelerated the velocities of blood flow and heart rate and inhibited hatching in zebrafish embryos because of their barrier effects on the channels in the embryonic chorion and enhanced the mechanical strength of the chorion. The Cd content in the chorion increased by p-PET due to the adsorption of p-PET on the chorion. By contrast, more f-PET dissociated in culture medium and resulted in low Cd content in the chorion. Given that chorion can effectively block p-PET and f-PET, the Cd accumulation in eggs significantly decreased (p < 0.05) under p-PET/f-PET and Cd combined treatment because of the reduction in the bioavailability of Cd. Therefore, p-PET and f-PET decreased the toxicities of Cd on all the target endpoints in this study, and the detoxification effect of f-PET at 72 hpf was more significant than that of p-PET. These results suggest that the toxicity induced by MPs might be form-related.
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Combined toxicity of microplastics and cadmium on the zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio)
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Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene microplastics combined with cadmium to assess their combined toxic effects on aquatic organisms. The study found that co-exposure produced greater negative impacts on survival and heart rate than either pollutant alone, with toxicity increasing in a concentration-dependent manner.
Effects of fibrous microplastics on the accumulation of tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate and behavior of zebrafish via water- and foodborne exposure routes
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Researchers found that fibrous microplastics enhanced the accumulation of the flame retardant tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate in zebrafish and altered their swimming behavior, demonstrating how MP shape influences contaminant uptake and neurotoxicity.
Additive effects of microplastics on accumulation and toxicity of cadmium in male zebrafish
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Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polyethylene microplastics and cadmium, both individually and in combination, for 21 days. They found that microplastics and cadmium together produced additive toxic effects, increasing cadmium accumulation in fish tissues, altering behavior, and causing more severe organ damage. The study suggests that microplastics in contaminated waterways may worsen the harmful effects of heavy metals on aquatic life.
Particle Type- and Morphology-Associated Neurotoxicity of Microplastics and Nanoplastics via Divergent PPARγ Modulation in Zebrafish
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Scientists exposed young zebrafish to two common types of plastic pollution, tiny round beads and tiny fibers, and found both harmed brain development and movement, but the fiber-shaped particles caused worse effects and got stuck in the gut longer. The two shapes even disrupted a key metabolism-related gene in opposite ways, meaning a drug that helped fix damage from round particles actually made things worse for fiber exposure. This suggests that not all microplastics are equally risky, and their shape, not just their chemical makeup, matters for understanding how they might affect health.
Comparative analysis of the toxicological and histopathological impact of microplastic fibers and microbeads in exposure associated with dibutyl phthalate in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
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Researchers compared the toxicological effects of microplastic fibers versus microbeads, alone and combined with the plasticizer dibutyl phthalate, on zebrafish livers and intestines. They found that microplastic fibers caused more severe oxidative stress and tissue damage than microbeads, including higher enzyme activity changes and more pronounced pathological alterations. The study suggests that fiber-shaped microplastics should be prioritized in environmental monitoring and toxicity assessments.
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