We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Transfer of benzo[a]pyrene from microplastics to Artemia nauplii and further to zebrafish via a trophic food web experiment: CYP1A induction and visual tracking of persistent organic pollutants
Summary
Researchers tracked the transfer of the carcinogenic chemical benzo[a]pyrene from microplastics to Artemia brine shrimp nauplii and then to a fish predator, finding that microplastics can serve as a vector transferring toxic chemicals up the food chain.
The uptake of microplastic particles and the transfer of potential harmful substances along with microplastics has been studied in a variety of organisms, especially invertebrates. However, the potential accumulation of very small microplastic particles along food webs ending with vertebrate models has not been investigated so far. Therefore, a simple artificial food chain with Artemia sp. nauplii and zebrafish (Danio rerio) was established to analyze the transfer of microplastic particles and associated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) between different trophic levels. Very small (1-20 μm) microplastic particles accumulated in Artemia nauplii and were subsequently transferred to fish. Virgin particles not loaded with POPs did not cause any observable physical harm in the intestinal tracts of zebrafish, although parts of the particles were retained within the mucus of intestinal villi and might even have been taken up by epithelial cells. The transfer of associated POPs was tested with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene and an ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assay for CYP1A induction in zebrafish liver as well as via fluorescence analyses. Whereas a significant induction in the EROD assay could not be shown, because of high individual variation and low sensitivity regarding substance concentration, the fluorescence tracking of benzo[a]pyrene indicates that food-borne microplastic-associated POPs may actually desorb in the intestine of fish and are thus transferred to the intestinal epithelium and liver. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1656-1666. © 2016 SETAC.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics and sorbed contaminants – Trophic exposure in fish sensitive early life stages
Zebrafish and marine medaka larvae fed on microplastic-laden prey organisms accumulated contaminants like benzo[a]pyrene but did not show significant microplastic accumulation or tissue translocation, as particles were rapidly egested. The study shows that even tiny prey organisms can transfer chemical pollutants to fish larvae via the trophic chain.
Microplastic accumulation patterns and transfer of benzo[a]pyrene to adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) gills and zebrafish embryos
Researchers studied how microplastics accumulate on zebrafish gills and embryos and whether the particles can transfer the toxic compound benzo[a]pyrene. They found that while microplastics did not permanently accumulate at high levels on gills, the particles did transfer measurable amounts of the pollutant to both gill tissue and embryos. The results indicate that microplastics can serve as carriers for persistent organic pollutants even through non-ingestion exposure routes.
Microplastic-associated trophic transfer of benzo(k)fluoranthene in a limnic food web: Effects in two freshwater invertebrates (Daphnia magna, Chironomus riparius) and zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Researchers investigated trophic transfer of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo(k)fluoranthene sorbed to polymethyl methacrylate microplastics through a freshwater food web involving Daphnia magna, Chironomus riparius larvae, and zebrafish, finding that MP-associated BkF transferred across multiple trophic levels with measurable accumulation in fish. The study demonstrates that microplastics can act as vectors for contaminant transfer in limnic food webs, raising concerns about biomagnification of plastic-sorbed pollutants.
The significance of trophic transfer of microplastics in the accumulation of plastic additives in fish: An experimental study using brominated flame retardants and UV stabilizers
Researchers found that trophic transfer through food is a more significant route than direct water exposure for fish accumulation of plastic-derived chemicals, including brominated flame retardants and UV stabilizers associated with microplastics.
Toxicity and trophic transfer of polyethylene microplastics from Poecilia reticulata to Danio rerio
Researchers established an experimental food chain using guppy fry and adult zebrafish to test whether polyethylene microplastics can transfer between fish species at different trophic levels. The study found evidence of microplastic trophic transfer, with behavioral changes, mutagenic effects, and cytotoxic impacts observed in the predator fish that consumed microplastic-exposed prey.