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Application of internal persistent fluorescent fibers in tracking microplastics in vivo processes in aquatic organisms
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A new method for producing fluorescent microfibers of controlled length was developed using a fiber slicer, and these fibers were successfully tracked inside aquatic organisms including water fleas, shrimp, and zebrafish using ultraviolet imaging. The technique provides a practical tool for studying how microfibers move through and accumulate within living organisms.
Tracking the in vivo transportation and localization of microplastics is the prerequisite for a better understanding of the toxicity but has not been reported yet. Fluorescent microbeads are widely used for tracking in the laboratory, whereas the most abundant microplastic (e.g., fiber) found in the field is rarely adapted. In this study, we used fiber slicer and blades to cut spinning materials into fluorescent micro-sized fibers with various lengths. Fiber slicer and blades are efficient tools to produce specific lengths of fibers. The microfibers showed a specific color under the ultraviolet irradiation; therefore, these microfibers can be clearly visualized when they are within aquatic organisms, such as water flea, shrimp, medaka, and zebrafish, which enables us to observe the whole biological processes of microfibers directly. Thus, the present study provides a novel method of microfibers preparation, and this kind of fluorescent fiber is applicable to be an efficient and convenient tracer for in vivo process observation and potential toxicological analysis in the future.
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Visible Combined Near-Infrared in Situ Imaging Revealed Dynamic Effects of Microplastic Fibers and Beads in Zebrafish
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Uptake, removal and trophic transfer of fluorescent polyethylene microplastics by freshwater model organisms: the impact of particle size and food availability
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Researchers used fluorescent polyethylene microplastics of different sizes to track how they move through a freshwater food chain from algae to water fleas to zebrafish. They found that smaller particles were ingested and transferred more readily between organisms, and that food availability influenced how many microplastics accumulated. The study demonstrates that microplastics can move up the food chain and that particle size plays a key role in how they are transported through aquatic ecosystems.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.