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Biological Indices as Markers of the Health of Cirrhinus mrigala under the Stress of Microplastics and Metal Nanoparticles
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Researchers examined how low-density polyethylene microplastics and nickel oxide nanoparticles, individually and combined, affect the health of the freshwater fish Cirrhinus mrigala over 60 days of exposure and 60 days of recovery. They found that combined exposure caused significant declines in body condition, abnormal swimming behavior, excessive mucus secretion, and even tumor formation. The study suggests that the co-presence of microplastics and metal nanoparticles in waterways can have compounding adverse effects on fish health that do not fully resolve after the pollution source is removed.
Coexistence of microplastics and nanoparticles is an emerging concern for environmentalists. This study highlights the individual and combined toxicities of environmentally relevant concentrations of two particle sizes of low-density polyethylene microplastic [LDPE: 150-250 µm (M1) and < 150 µm (M2)] and Predicted No Effect Concentration [PNEC: 2.95 mg/L, 1/100 of 96 h LC {295.319 (253.533-333.814) mg/L}] of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs: N) on the well-being of a food fish, Cirrhinus mrigala. Length-weight relationship, Fulton Condition Factor (FCF), Relative Condition Factor (RCF), Hepatosomatic Index (HSI), Gastrosomatic index (GaSI), along with behavioural and morphological alterations, were recorded monthly during an exposure and recovery period of 60 days each. The biological indices declined significantly over the control (p < 0.001) in treatments. FCF (1.65 ± 0.05) and RCF (0.83 ± 0.03) were minimum in M2N after 60 days of exposure, but in M1N after 60 days of recovery period (1.34 ± 0.045 and 0.678 ± 0.03, respectively). Exposure and recovery values of b, HSI and GaSI were lowest in M1N. Abnormal swimming, distressed hitting against the walls, copious mucus secretion, haemorrhage, darkening of skin, clogging of intestine and feed avoidance seem to have reduced energy allocation and well-being, causing allometric growth in treatments. Minimum changes in N, cataract and exophthalmia in M2 and tumour formation in M2N clearly indicate that MPs and NPs altered behaviour and bioavailability of each other. Their coexistence in natural waters might pose a direct threat to organisms and hint at developing regulatory strategies for the discharge of microplastics and nanoparticles.
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Cytogenotoxicity and Hematological Alterations Induced by the Environmentally Relevant Concentration of Low‐Density Polyethylene Microplastics and Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles in Cirrhinus mrigala (Ham.)
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The freshwater fish Cirrhinus mrigala was exposed for 60 days to low-density polyethylene microplastics and nickel oxide nanoparticles individually and in combination, finding that combined exposure caused the most severe hematological damage and DNA harm, with smaller MP particles being more toxic. The pollutants acted synergistically, and toxicity only partially recovered after a 60-day depuration period.
Effects of microplastics on the toxicity of co-existing pollutants to fish: A meta-analysis
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Meta-analysis of 1,380 biological endpoints from 55 studies found that microplastics in co-existing pollutant solutions significantly increased toxicity to fish beyond what the pollutants caused alone, particularly elevating immune system damage, metabolic disruption, and oxidative stress. The effect depended on fish life stage and microplastic size, but not on pollutant or polymer type.
Combined Effects of Microplastics and Mercury on Growth, Hematology, Tissue Morphology, GH/IGF Axis, and Antioxidant-Immune Responses in Nile Tilapia.
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Scientists found that fish exposed to both microplastics and mercury together—two pollutants increasingly common in waterways—suffered much worse health effects than fish exposed to either one alone, including organ damage, weaker immune function, and stunted growth. This matters because it shows how pollutants can team up to cause more harm than we'd expect from studying them separately, which raises questions about the combined effects of everyday contaminants on the seafood we eat and on our own bodies, since humans are also routinely exposed to both microplastics and trace mercury.
Neurobehavioral toxicity induced by combined exposure of micro/nanoplastics and triphenyltin in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)
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When marine medaka fish were exposed to both nanoplastics and the toxic chemical triphenyltin together, they showed much worse nerve and behavioral damage than from either pollutant alone. The combined exposure significantly reduced the fish's swimming ability and disrupted neural gene expression, with smaller nanoplastics causing more severe effects than larger microplastics. This highlights that real-world conditions, where microplastics coexist with other pollutants, may produce amplified toxic effects on the nervous system.
Unlocking the combined impact of microplastics and emerging contaminants on fish: A review and meta-analysis
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This meta-analysis found that combined exposure to microplastics and emerging contaminants adversely affects fish reproduction, development, and neurotoxicity beyond what either pollutant causes alone. Microplastics with higher adsorption capacities led to more severe outcomes by concentrating and delivering co-contaminants, though exposure duration did not correlate with oxidative stress levels.
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