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Exposure to nanoplastics disturbs the gut microbiome in the soil oligochaete Enchytraeus crypticus
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Researchers fed the soil oligochaete Enchytraeus crypticus diets containing different concentrations of nano-polystyrene particles and found that exposure significantly altered the gut microbiome composition. The study suggests that nanoplastic ingestion can disturb the microbial communities in soil invertebrate digestive systems, which may have cascading effects on nutrient processing and organism health.
Microplastics are emerging pollutants that have recently aroused considerable concern but most toxicological studies have focused on marine biota, with little investigation of the influence of microplastics on terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we fed the soil oligochaete Enchytraeus crypticus with oatmeal containing 0, 0.025, 0.5, and 10% (dry weight basis) nano-polystyrene (0.05-0.1 μm particle size) to elucidate the impact of microplastics on the growth and gut microbiome of Enchytraeus crypticus. We observed a significant reduction of weight in the animals fed 10% polystyrene and an increase in the reproduction of those fed 0.025%. More importantly, using 16S rRNA amplification and high-throughput sequencing we found a significant shift in the microbiome of those fed 10% microplastics with significant decreases in the relative abundance of the families Rhizobiaceae, Xanthobacteraceae and Isosphaeraceae. These families contain key microbes that contribute to nitrogen cycling and organic matter decomposition.
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Unveiling the gut’s plastic predicament: How micro- and nano-plastics drive distinct toxicological pathways in Enchytraeus crypticus
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Researchers exposed the soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus to environmentally relevant concentrations of polystyrene microplastics (50 µm) and nanoplastics (100 nm), finding that nanoplastics caused greater gut microenvironment disruption and more severe biotoxicity than microplastics, acting through distinct mechanistic pathways.
How Can Nanoplastics Affect the Survival, Reproduction, and Behaviour of the Soil Model Enchytraeus crypticus?
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Researchers tested how polystyrene nanoplastics affect survival, reproduction, and behavior of a soil worm (Enchytraeus crypticus) across a range of concentrations. They found that nanoplastics impair reproduction and trigger avoidance behavior in this soil-dwelling organism, pointing to ecological risks in contaminated soils.
The effect of a polystyrene nanoplastic on the intestinal microbes and oxidative stress defense of the freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii
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Researchers tested the acute effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on freshwater crayfish and found that exposure altered the composition of intestinal bacteria and disrupted oxidative stress defenses. Higher concentrations of nanoplastics led to more severe changes in gut microbial diversity and antioxidant enzyme activity. The study adds to growing evidence that nanoplastic pollution can harm the gut health and immune defenses of freshwater organisms.
Effects of polymethylmethacrylate nanoplastics on the swimming behaviour and gut microbiome of the freshwater amphipod Gammarus pulex
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Researchers exposed freshwater amphipods (Gammarus pulex) to polymethylmethacrylate nanoplastics and assessed effects on swimming behavior and gut microbiome composition. They found that nanoplastic exposure altered the animals' movement patterns and shifted the microbial communities in their digestive systems. The study suggests that even nanoscale plastic particles can affect the behavior and internal biology of important freshwater invertebrates.
Microplastics impact the accumulation of metals in earthworms by changing the gut bacterial communities
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Researchers exposed earthworms to three sizes of polystyrene microplastics (0.1, 10, and 100 micrometers) to study effects on metal accumulation and gut bacteria. The study found that microplastics reduced nickel and lead accumulation in earthworms while significantly altering gut bacterial communities. The results suggest that microplastics influence heavy metal bioavailability in soil organisms by changing gut microbiome composition.
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