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Uptake, accumulation and associated cellular alterations of environmental samples of microplastics in the seaworm Hediste diversicolor
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Hediste diversicolor seaworms exposed to environmental microplastic mixtures collected from Tunisian beaches accumulated PE, PP, LDPE, and HDPE particles in their tissues and showed cellular damage including lipid peroxidation and lysosomal membrane destabilization at environmentally relevant concentrations.
The ubiquitous distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment raises global concern to understand their impact. Environmental MPs have been shown to exhibit different physicochemical properties during their life cycles. However, the body of knowledge regarding their accumulation and biological effects is still significantly limited compared to manufactured MPs. To evaluate the hazardous effects of a mixture of environmental MPs collected along the Tunisian beaches, their accumulation and cellular effects were investigated in Hediste diversicolor. MP sample was composed of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polyamide (PA) analyzed using Raman microspectroscopy (RM). The concentrations of MPs in seaworm tissues increased over time, following the order 1.2-0.45 µm > 3-1.2 µm > 100-3 µm. The ingestion of MPs by H. diversicolor reduced their survival and growth, affected the neuro-transmission and antioxidant pathways. Our data emphasised that the toxic effects of environmental MPs were closely related to the exposure dose and period. The results also demonstrated that the size distribution of MPs in seaworms was mainly correlated with biochemical markers. This study highlights the ecological risk in the ingestion and accumulation of environmental MPs by biota that threatens their functional parameters.
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Researchers studied how microplastics and the carcinogenic pollutant benzo[a]pyrene affect the internal body fluid of marine seaworms, both individually and in combination. They found that microplastics enhanced the accumulation of the pollutant in the worms' immune cells and that combined exposure caused more severe DNA damage and cell death than either contaminant alone. The study demonstrates that microplastics can amplify the harmful effects of chemical pollutants in marine invertebrates.
Toxicological impact of environmental microplastics and benzo[a]pyrene in the seaworm Hediste diversicolor under environmentally relevant exposure conditions
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Researchers assessed the combined toxicity of environmental microplastics and benzo[a]pyrene in the seaworm Hediste diversicolor under realistic exposure conditions, finding that microplastics can modulate the bioavailability and toxic effects of co-occurring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Autophagic event and metabolomic disorders unveil cellular toxicity of environmental microplastics on marine polychaete Hediste diversicolor
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Researchers investigated the cellular toxicity of environmental microplastics collected from Mediterranean beaches on the marine polychaete Hediste diversicolor, focusing on autophagy and metabolic responses. The study found that exposure to various polymer types (PE, PP, LDPE, HDPE, and others) triggered autophagic events and disrupted metabolic pathways. The findings suggest that environmental microplastics induce complex cellular stress responses in benthic organisms through multiple interconnected pathways.
Accumulation and immunotoxicity of microplastics in the estuarine worm Hediste diversicolor in environmentally relevant conditions of exposure
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The estuarine ragworm Hediste diversicolor was exposed to polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics through water or sediment at two concentrations, with accumulation confirmed in both exposure routes and immune cell function (phagocytosis activity) significantly reduced at higher concentrations. The study documents immunotoxic effects of environmentally relevant microplastic mixtures in an estuarine worm, expanding evidence beyond marine and freshwater species.
Effects of Commercially Available Plastics on Estuarine Sediment Dweller Polychaeta Hediste diversicolor
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Researchers exposed the marine worm Hediste diversicolor to commercially available polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics for up to 28 days and assessed behavioral and biochemical responses. They found that the worms did not show behavioral changes or metabolize the plastics, though some enzyme activity was affected. The study suggests that these common types of microplastics do not cause major adverse effects in this sediment-dwelling species at the tested concentrations.
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