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Behavior and biochemical responses of the polychaeta Hediste diversicolor to polystyrene nanoplastics
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Researchers exposed the marine polychaete Hediste diversicolor to 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics and found behavioral changes and biochemical stress responses, adding to limited knowledge about the effects of sub-100 nm plastic particles on keystone benthic organisms.
Plastic debris has been reaching the world's oceans since it started being used. Multiple studies have been addressing the effects of microplastics in various organisms but, despite the increased scientific awareness, there is still a significant gap in knowledge when it comes to small-sized plastic particles of sizes below 100 nm. The aim of this study was to understand the effect of waterborne 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PS NPs) on the marine polychaeta Hediste diversicolor, a keystone species in intertidal and coastal environments, in terms of behavior, neurotransmission, oxidative status, energy metabolism and oxidative damage. Results of PS NPs characterization showed an aggregation along the time and with increasing concentrations. Results also revealed a considerable impact of PS NPs on ecologically relevant endpoints like cholinesterase (ChE) and burrowing, but no increases in most of the parameters associated with oxidative stress. Protein carbonylation was found to be more sensitive to PS NPs effects than lipid peroxidation. Behavioral alterations induced by PS NPs may affect nutrient cycling and (endo-)benthic fauna. The data revealed in this study highlighted the potential consequences of NPs to benthic organisms and the need for further studies.
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Effects of polymethylmethacrylate nanoplastics on the polychaete Hediste diversicolor: Behavioural, regenerative, and biochemical responses
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Exposing the marine worm Hediste diversicolor to polymethylmethacrylate nanoplastics (PMMA, a common plastic used in coatings and consumer products) disrupted its burrowing behavior, suppressed nervous system activity, reduced energy reserves, and triggered antioxidant defenses. These worms are ecologically critical for seafloor nutrient cycling, so nanoplastic toxicity to them could have ripple effects throughout coastal and estuarine ecosystems.
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Researchers found that microplastic exposure caused neurotoxicity and reduced enzymatic activity in the marine polychaete Hediste diversicolor, an important bioturbator, suggesting that microplastic pollution could impair critical ecological functions in coastal sediments.
Hediste diversicolor as a biological model for the study of the effects of nanoplastics
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Researchers used the marine worm Hediste diversicolor to study the effects of nanoplastics in sediment environments. The worm accumulated nanoplastics and showed biological responses, suggesting these tiny particles can harm benthic invertebrates that play key roles in sediment health.
How hazardous can polymethyl methacrylate nanoparticles be to marine polychaetes?
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Researchers exposed the marine polychaete Hediste diversicolor to 50 nm polymethyl methacrylate nanoplastics at concentrations from 0.5 to 500 µg/L for seven days, measuring oxidative stress enzymes, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, acetylcholinesterase, and energy metabolism endpoints. PMMA nanoplastics altered antioxidant and biotransformation enzyme activities at lower concentrations, establishing ecotoxicological effects of this understudied plastic polymer on benthic marine invertebrates.
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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