We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics Reduce Short-Term Effects of Environmental Contaminants. Part I: Effects of Bisphenol A on Freshwater Zooplankton Are Lower in Presence of Polyamide Particles
AI summary Read the abstract
This study (Part I of a series) investigated whether microplastics reduce the short-term toxic effects of environmental contaminants on aquatic organisms, finding evidence that microplastics can act as a buffer by binding contaminants and reducing their immediate toxicity.
Abstract: Microplastics can have direct physical effects on organisms in freshwater systems, and are considered as vectors for absorbed environmental pollutants. It is still under discussion if microplastics are relevant pollutant vectors for uptake into aquatic organisms in comparison to further uptake pathways, e.g., via water or sediment particles. We analyzed how the presence of microplastics (polyamide particles, PA) modifies acute effects of the environmental pollutant bisphenol A (BPA) on freshwater zooplankton (Daphnia magna). Daphnids were exposed to PA particles and BPA alone, before combining them in the next step with one concentration of PA and varying concentrations of BPA. The PA particles themselves did not induce negative effects, while the effects of BPA alone followed a typical dose-dependent manner. Sorption of BPA to PA particles prior to exposure led to a reduction of BPA in the aqueous phase. The combination of BPA and PA led to decreased immobilization, although PA particles loaded with BPA were ingested by the daphnids. Calculations based on physiochemistry and equilibrium assumptions indicated lower BPA body burden of daphnids in the presence of PA particles. These results confirm model-based studies, and show that investigated microplastic concentrations are negligible for the overall pollutant uptake of daphnids with water as additional uptake pathway.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics Reduce Short-Term Effects of Environmental Contaminants. Part II: Polyethylene Particles Decrease the Effect of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Microorganisms
AI summary Read the abstract
This study (Part II of a series) tested whether microplastics reduce the short-term toxic effects of environmental contaminants on aquatic organisms, finding that microplastics can sequester contaminants and reduce their bioavailability and acute toxicity in some exposure scenarios.
Effect of microplastics on the environmental behavior of emerging contaminants in aquatic matrices
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examines how microplastics affect the environmental behavior of emerging contaminants in aquatic systems. Microplastics can adsorb other pollutants and alter their bioavailability, potentially increasing or decreasing toxic effects depending on the chemicals and environmental conditions.
Microplastic-mediated transport of PCBs? A depuration study with Daphnia magna
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested whether microplastics could help remove PCBs from the water flea Daphnia magna, finding that only one PCB congener was cleared more efficiently with microplastic exposure while most others were unaffected. The study suggests microplastics have limited value as a depuration tool for PCB-contaminated zooplankton under environmentally relevant conditions.
Influence of microplastics on bisphenol A and bisphenol AF toxicity in aquatic environments: Mechanistic insights for environmental risks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics interact with the industrial chemicals bisphenol A and bisphenol AF in zebrafish, finding that microplastics can either reduce or worsen the toxicity depending on the specific chemical and biological pathway involved. For bisphenol A, the microplastics partially absorbed the chemical and reduced its harmful effects, but for bisphenol AF, they worsened toxicity to certain organ systems. The study reveals that microplastics play a complicated dual role in modifying how other pollutants affect aquatic life.
Quantification of the combined toxic effect of polychlorinated biphenyls and nano-sized polystyrene on Daphnia magna
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how nano-sized polystyrene particles modify the acute toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to Daphnia magna, finding that low concentrations of nanoplastics reduced PCB toxicity by binding and sequestering the chemicals, while high nanoplastic concentrations became directly lethal, reversing the protective effect.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.