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Immunotoxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons and microplastics alone or in combination to a bivalve species: Synergic impacts and potential toxication mechanisms
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Marine mussels exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons and microplastics separately and together showed that combined exposure caused greater immune suppression and lysosomal damage than either stressor alone, identifying oxidative stress pathways as a key mechanism of joint toxicity.
Both the frequent occurrence of accidental petroleum spills and the ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in the sea may pose severe threats to marine species. However, the immunotoxic impacts of these two types of pollutants and the underlying toxication mechanisms still remain largely unknown in sessile filter-feeding bivalve mollusks. Therefore, the impacts of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons and MPs alone or in combination on the total count, cell type composition, and phagocytic activity of hemocytes were investigated in the blood clam, Tegillarca granosa. In addition, the intracellular ROS content, cell viability, degree of DNA damage, and expression levels of genes from immune-, apoptosis-, and immunotoxicity-related pathways were analyzed to reveal the potential toxication mechanisms. The results demonstrated that exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons and MPs alone or in combination at environmentally realistic concentrations could exert significant immunotoxic impacts on the blood clam, which may be caused by alterations in a series of physiological and molecular processes. In addition, the immunotoxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons could be significantly aggravated by the copresence of MPs, which suggests that coexposure to these two pollutants deserves closer attention.
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Simultaneous exposure to microplastics and heavy metal lead induces oxidative stress, histopathological damage, and immune dysfunction in marine mussel Mytilus coruscus
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When marine mussels were exposed to both microplastics and the heavy metal lead together, the combined effect was worse than either pollutant alone. The combination caused more severe tissue damage, higher oxidative stress, and greater immune system disruption, which is concerning because in real ocean environments, microplastics and heavy metals commonly occur together.
The combined effects of phenanthrene and micro-/nanoplastics mixtures on the cellular stress responses of the thick-shell mussel Mytilus coruscus
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Scientists exposed thick-shell mussels to a combination of micro- and nanoplastics along with a common pollutant (phenanthrene) to study their combined effects. The mixtures caused more severe immune cell damage, increased oxidative stress, and stronger inflammatory responses than either pollutant alone. Evidence indicates that micro- and nanoplastics can worsen the toxic effects of organic pollutants in marine shellfish.
Combined effects of polyamide microplastics and the pathogenic bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus on the immune parameters of Mytilus coruscus
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When mussels were exposed to nylon microplastics along with harmful Vibrio bacteria, they suffered gill damage, increased oxidative stress, and weakened immune defenses compared to either stressor alone. The combined exposure suppressed key immune enzymes that mussels need to fight infection. Since mussels are widely consumed as seafood, this study raises concerns that microplastic-contaminated shellfish could carry more pathogens and be less safe to eat.
The toxic impacts of microplastics (MPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on haematic parameters in a marine bivalve species and their potential mechanisms of action
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Scientists studied the combined effects of microplastics and a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, common oil-derived pollutants) on blood clams. Both pollutants individually reduced immune cell counts and impaired the clams' ability to fight infections, but exposure to both together produced significantly worse effects than either alone. The findings suggest that in real ocean conditions, where multiple pollutants coexist, the combined impact on marine organisms may be greater than what single-pollutant studies predict.
Immunotoxicity of microplastics and polychlorinated biphenyls alone or in combination to Crassostrea gigas
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Researchers exposed oysters to microplastics and PCBs (industrial chemicals) both alone and together, finding that the combination caused significantly worse immune damage than either pollutant on its own. The pollutants reduced the oysters' ability to fight infection, increased cell damage, and triggered cell death pathways. This synergistic effect is concerning because microplastics in the ocean often carry other toxic chemicals, potentially making contaminated seafood a greater health risk.
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