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Analysis of the enhancement of nickel nanoparticle toxicity by nanoplastics in Acartia tonsa through multigenerational effects and correlation of physiological parameters
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Researchers exposed the marine copepod Acartia tonsa to nickel nanoparticles and nanoplastics across single and multiple generations, finding that nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations caused limited harm alone but significantly amplified nickel toxicity — prolonging development, reducing survival and reproduction, and increasing physiological parameter correlations by the second generation.
With the advancement of industrialization, the use of metals and plastics in daily production and life has increased, leading to their release into the atmosphere and marine environments. These materials break down into smaller particles due to biological and physical factors, further impacting marine organisms. This study employed a factorial design to simulate the effects of metal nanonickel particles and nanoplastics released into marine environments on Acartia tonsa, examining both single-generation and multi-generation effects. Additionally, correlation analysis was conducted on the physiological parameters of A. tonsa in response to stress. The results indicated that environmentally relevant concentrations of nanonickel particles affect the reproduction and development of A. tonsa in both single generation and multigenerational contexts. These effects prolonged the development time, while reducing survival and reproductive capacity. In contrast, environmentally relevant concentrations of nanoplastics had limited effects on A. tonsa in both single generation and multigenerational exposures, but they exacerbated the toxicity of nanonickel particles. Furthermore, the physiological parameters of A. tonsa exhibited varying degrees of systemic changes under different stress levels. Combined exposure increased both the degree and number of correlations between the physiological parameters of A. tonsa, with more pronounced effects observed in the F2 generation. In conclusion, this study provided an early warning of marine ecosystem pollution by nanoplastics and metal nanomaterials, while clarifying the holistic physiological responses of copepod.
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