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Microplastic does not magnify the acute effect of PAH pyrene on predatory performance of a tropical fish ( Lates calcarifer )
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Researchers exposed predatory invertebrates to microplastics and the PAH pyrene together, finding that microplastics did not worsen pyrene's effect on predatory performance, suggesting the vector effect of microplastics for this contaminant is minimal in this species.
Microplastic (MP) leads to widespread pollution in the marine ecosystem. In addition to the physical hazard posed by ingestion of microplastic particles, concern is also on their potential as vector for transport of hydrophobic contaminants. We experimentally studied the single and interactive effects of microplastic and pyrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, on the swimming behaviour and predatory performance of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer). Juveniles (18+ days post hatch) were exposed to MPs, or pyrene (100 nM), or combination of both, and feeding rate and foraging activity (swimming) were analysed. Exposure to MPs alone did not significantly influence feeding performance of the juveniles, while a dose-effect series of pyrene showed strong effect on fish behaviour when concentrations were above 100 nM. In the test of combined MP and pyrene exposure, we observed no effect on feeding while swimming speed decreased significantly. Thus, our results confirm that short-time exposure to pyrene impacts the performance of fish juveniles, while additional exposure to microplastic at the given conditions influenced their activity only and not their feeding rate. Further studies of the combined effects of microplastics and pollutants on tropical fish behaviour are encouraged.
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Virgin microplastics cause toxicity and modulate the impacts of phenanthrene on biomarker responses in African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus )
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Researchers investigated the impacts of virgin and phenanthrene-loaded polyethylene microplastic fragments on juvenile African catfish. The study found that even virgin microplastics caused toxicity and altered biomarker responses, and that microplastics modulated the toxic effects of phenanthrene, suggesting microplastics can act as both independent stressors and carriers of chemical contaminants.
Microplastics do not affect the feeding rates of a marine predator
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Researchers exposed a marine predatory fish to microplastics at environmentally realistic concentrations and measured feeding rate, finding no significant effect on prey capture behavior, suggesting that concerns about microplastics disrupting predator feeding may not apply at current environmental concentrations.
Do microplastics mediate the effects of chemicals on aquatic organisms?
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This review examined whether microplastics act as vectors for chemical contaminants in aquatic organisms, finding that while chemicals can sorb to microplastics, the evidence for microplastics significantly enhancing chemical toxicity in natural settings remains limited.
Bioavailability quantification and uptake mechanisms of pyrene associated with different-sized microplastics to Daphnia magna
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Researchers investigated how pyrene associated with microplastics of different sizes becomes bioavailable to Daphnia magna, finding that smaller microplastics enhanced pyrene uptake by water fleas compared to larger particles, suggesting that particle size is a key factor in the vector effect of microplastics.
Microplastics reduce pyrene bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in brine shrimp–marine medaka food chain: the role of sorption versus biotransformation
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Scientists studying tiny sea creatures found that when a common pollutant (found in things like grilled food and vehicle exhaust) sticks to microplastics, fish actually absorb less of it compared to when the pollutant is floating freely in water — likely because their bodies break it down and flush it out more easily. This is somewhat reassuring news suggesting microplastics may not always make chemical pollution worse as it moves up the food chain, though the researchers caution the pollutant still ended up in the fish's body tissues (not just its gut), meaning eating contaminated seafood remains a potential concern worth further study.
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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.