We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Sorption of Oxybenzone onto Polystyrene Microplastics Influences Bioavailability and Early-Life Development in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that when oxybenzone (a common sunscreen chemical) mixes with tiny plastic particles in water, it can still cause birth defects in fish embryos, particularly problems with their swim bladders. The plastic particles sometimes reduced how much of the chemical got into the fish, but at higher levels this protective effect disappeared. This matters because both oxybenzone and microplastics are widespread in our oceans and drinking water, and this research suggests their combination could pose risks to developing animals and potentially humans.
Oxybenzone (BP-3) and polystyrene microplastics (PS MPs) are pervasive aquatic contaminants whose combined biological effects remain insufficiently characterized. This study investigated co-exposure to BP-3 and PS MPs in zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio), focusing on developmental endpoints, tissue bioaccumulation, and time-dependent sorption behavior. Embryos were exposed to 0.10–1.50 mg/L BP-3 for 96 h in the presence of PS MPs. Mortality, developmental abnormalities, and tissue BP-3 concentrations were measured, and chemical analysis was performed by HPLC-DAD. Although mortality was not significantly affected, embryos exhibited developmental abnormalities, particularly in swim bladder formation. Tissue BP-3 accumulation increased with exposure concentration. The influence of PS MPs on BP-3 uptake was concentration-dependent: at lower BP-3 exposures, PS MPs reduced tissue accumulation, whereas at higher exposures this reduction became negligible or was no longer observed. This suggests a dual role for PS MPs: mitigating direct aqueous exposure by sequestering BP-3 yet simultaneously acting as potential vectors for its environmental persistence and trophic transfer through alternative pathways. Independent time-resolved experiments showed rapid BP-3 removal from the aqueous phase in the presence of PS MPs, with early stabilization consistent with rapid partitioning behavior. These findings highlight the complex interactions between emerging contaminants and MPs, underscoring the need for further research into their ecological implications.
More Papers Like This
Sorption of PFOS onto polystyrene microplastics potentiates synergistic toxic effects during zebrafish embryogenesis and neurodevelopment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics can absorb PFOS (a persistent industrial chemical) from water and deliver it to zebrafish embryos in a more concentrated form. The combination caused worse developmental problems than either pollutant alone, including delayed hatching, higher death rates, birth defects, and impaired brain development. This shows microplastics can act as carriers that intensify the toxic effects of other environmental chemicals.
Effects of micro/nanoplastics combined with three anthropogenic chemicals on larval zebrafish (Danio rerio): study of toxicity, behaviour and assessment of uptake
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles alone didn't harm baby zebrafish, but when combined with common chemicals found in flame retardants and antidepressants, the plastics made those chemicals more toxic. This suggests that in the real world, where we're exposed to plastic particles and chemicals together, the combination could be more harmful than either one alone—even though this study was in fish, it raises questions about how plastic pollution might amplify chemical risks for humans too.
Particles rather than released Zn2+ from ZnO nanoparticles aggravate microplastics toxicity in early stages of exposed zebrafish and their unexposed offspring
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and zinc oxide nanoparticles on zebrafish embryos and their unexposed offspring. They found that ZnO particles adhered to microplastic surfaces and amplified toxic effects including growth inhibition, oxidative stress, and hormonal disruption, with impacts carrying over to the next generation. Interestingly, dissolved zinc ions actually reversed some microplastic toxicity, suggesting that it is the physical particles rather than the released zinc that drive the increased harm.
Avobenzone and nanoplastics affect the development of zebrafish nervous system and retinal system and inhibit their locomotor behavior
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the combined effects of the sunscreen ingredient avobenzone and nanoplastics on zebrafish larvae development. They found that both substances accumulated in the fish and could not be eliminated within 72 hours, with combined exposure affecting nervous system and retinal development, disrupting antioxidant enzyme activity, and significantly inhibiting locomotor behavior.
Interactive neurotoxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics and butyl methoxydibenzoyl methane on early zebrafish embryos
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics and the UV sunscreen chemical BM-DBM interact synergistically to cause neurotoxicity in zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations, disrupting nervous system development and gene expression more severely in combination than either pollutant alone.
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.