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Evaluation of microplastic toxicity in accordance with different sizes and exposure times in the marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus
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Researchers exposed marine copepods to polystyrene microbeads of two different sizes to understand how particle size and exposure duration affect toxicity. They found that both nano-sized and micro-sized particles increased reactive oxygen species levels inside cells and altered antioxidant gene expression and enzyme activity. The study provides important molecular-level evidence that microplastic toxicity in marine organisms depends on both the size of the particles and how long organisms are exposed.
The indiscriminate use of plastic has greatly increased microplastic contamination risk in the marine environment. Microplastics can affect all marine life via the food web, from primary producers (e.g., microalgae) to final consumers (e.g., carnivorous fish). Thus, several studies have attempted to evaluate microplastic toxicity, but information about the underlying mechanisms of their effect is limited. Therefore, in this study, we examined multiple factors that could contribute to microplastic-induced toxicity. We investigated the potential molecular effects of microplastic size and exposure time. We exposed the marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus to 50 nm and 10 μm polystyrene microbeads. We found that both size and exposure time increased intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. In addition, antioxidant-related gene expression was modulated and antioxidant enzyme activities were changed significantly. The results of this study provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms of microplastic-induced toxicity in a marine organism.
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Researchers studied the chronic effects of polystyrene nano- and microplastics on the marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus over 30 days. The study found that nanoplastics were more lethal than microplastics, with different sizes affecting survival, development, and reproduction through distinct mechanisms, though oxidative stress was a common factor at high concentrations.
Size-Dependent Effects of Micro Polystyrene Particles in the Marine Copepod Tigriopus japonicus
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Researchers studied how nano- and micro-sized polystyrene particles affect a tiny marine crustacean called a copepod at the molecular level. They found that the smallest particles caused the most severe oxidative stress and triggered cellular defense pathways, with effects worsening at higher concentrations. The study suggests that microplastics can disrupt the internal chemistry of marine organisms even at sizes too small to see with the naked eye.
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Researchers studied how different sizes of polystyrene microplastics (0.5, 5, and 50 micrometers) affect toxicity in tropical green mussels. The study found that smaller microplastics caused greater bioaccumulation and more severe toxic effects, including oxidative stress and tissue damage, indicating that size is a critical factor in determining microplastic toxicity in marine organisms.
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Scientists exposed marine copepods (tiny crustaceans) to nanoplastics of different sizes and plastic types, through water or food, using metal-tagged particles to track them. Plastic was found in the copepods' waste, and plastics tagged with palladium or gold affected stress-related gene activity, while untreated polystyrene particles did not.
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