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Acute exposure to nanoplastics and GenX results in increased tissue accumulation of GenX in brain and liver of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
Summary
Scientists found that when fish were exposed to both GenX (a newer type of "forever chemical") and tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics, the GenX built up more in their brains and livers compared to fish exposed to GenX alone. This matters because it suggests that the combination of plastic pollution and chemical contamination in our oceans could be more harmful than expected. Since humans eat fish and are also exposed to these same pollutants, this research raises concerns about how these contaminants might interact in our bodies too.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and micro/nanoplastics are widely detected and persistent contaminants present in natural waters. While considerable research has been conducted on effects of PFAS on freshwater fish, little is known regarding potential for adverse impacts on marine species. Similarly, much attention has been paid to potential impacts of microplastics, but less is known regarding effects of exposure to nano-sized plastics. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for interactive effects between common models of PFAS (GenX) and nanoplastic particles (NP) by utilizing exposure of adult spotted seatrout to 4 treatments: Control, GenX, 50 nm fluorescing NP, and GenX + NP for 7 days, and then placed remaining fish in clean water for 7 more days. Exposure was conducted as a static renewal exposure in quadruplicate exposure tanks with four adult seatrout per tank. At the end of 7 days, fish were removed and sampled for analysis of impact. Our results indicate that GenX (1) accumulated in liver and brain of seatrout, (2) presence of NP increased concentration of GenX detected in these organs, and (3) combination of GenX+NP resulted in altered peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) expression profiles in brains of exposed fish. Data demonstrate that exposure to newer PFAS, such as GenX, in presence of NP may exert greater impacts than predicted from exposure to GenX alone. Further, adult pelagic marine fish might accumulate both PFAS and NP if exposed in the environment enhancing adverse environmental impacts.