We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Reduced disparity in the physiological effects between perfluorooctanoic acid and its alternative GenX on freshwater microalgae during co-exposure with nanoplastics
Summary
Researchers compared how polystyrene nanoplastics alter the toxicity of legacy PFOA and its newer alternative GenX in freshwater microalgae, finding that nanoplastics transport both chemicals into cells and amplify their photosynthesis-disrupting effects, ultimately reducing the toxicity difference between the two compounds and highlighting nanoplastics as important vectors for fluorinated pollutants.
The physiological and ecological risks of persistent organic pollutants mediated by nanoplastics (NPs) are substantially altered for aquatic organisms. However, the roles and underlying mechanisms of NPs in this process remain inadequately elucidated. Here, we investigated the physiological effects of polystyrene (PS)-NPs combined with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its alternative hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX) on freshwater microalgae. Results demonstrate that NPs exhibited relatively weaker effects than PFOA and GenX and primarily enhanced the microalgal adsorption and uptake of PFOA and GenX. The main target following the NP-mediated intracellular accumulation of PFOA and GenX was the photosynthetic electron transport in microalgae, which exacerbated the adverse effects of GenX on microalgae and induced a "hormesis effect" on Chlorella during PFOA exposure. At the proteomic level, PFOA primarily influenced the energy-dependent proteins involved in photosynthesis, whereas GenX did not significantly alter proteomic profiles in microalgae. Notably, NP-mediated "secondary transport" not only reduced the accumulation disparity between GenX and PFOA but also differentially amplified their adverse effects on the algal proteome. This was particularly evident in the more pronounced inhibition of translation-related enzymes by GenX, which ultimately diminished the difference in their overall physiological toxicity. Therefore, the biological impacts of emerging persistent pollutants, particularly with NPs acting as transport carriers, constitute a crucial research domain warranting further investigations.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Micro/nanoplastics enhance multigenerational reproductive toxicity of legacy and alternative per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis
Researchers assessed the combined toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics with legacy and alternative per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis across multiple generations. They found that the presence of nanoplastics enhanced the lethal and reproductive toxicity of both PFOA and its replacement chemical GenX. The study suggests that co-exposure to microplastics and PFAS may pose greater risks to marine organisms than either contaminant alone.
Interfacial effects of perfluorooctanoic acid and its alternative hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid with polystyrene nanoplastics on oxidative stress, histopathology and gut microbiota in Crassostrea hongkongensis oysters
Researchers exposed oysters to polystyrene nanoplastics combined with PFAS chemicals (including the GenX replacement for PFOA) and found that the combination caused worse oxidative stress, tissue damage, and gut bacteria disruption than any single pollutant. The newer GenX chemical was not safer than the older PFOA it was designed to replace when combined with nanoplastics. Since oysters are eaten raw by humans, these findings raise concerns about the combined effects of multiple pollutants accumulating in shellfish.
Toxicological effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and perfluorooctanoic acid to Gambusia affinis
Researchers found that co-exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) produced interactive toxicological effects in mosquitofish, with nanoplastics altering PFOA bioaccumulation and causing liver damage and oxidative stress.
Polystyrene modulation of perfluorooctanoic acid toxicity in zebrafish: Transcriptomic and toxicological insights
Researchers exposed zebrafish to the industrial chemical PFOA both alone and in combination with polystyrene microplastics of different sizes to understand how the particles influence chemical toxicity. They found that PFOA disrupted neurotransmitter pathways, and the addition of microplastics modified this toxicity in a size-dependent manner, with smaller particles generally increasing harmful effects. The study provides evidence that microplastics can alter how other environmental pollutants affect living organisms.
Enhanced uptake of perfluorooctanoic acid by polystyrene nanoparticles in Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas)
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoparticles significantly enhanced the uptake of the toxic chemical PFOA in Pacific oysters. The presence of 20 nm nanoparticles increased PFOA absorption by up to 3.2-fold and amplified PFOA-induced oxidative stress by 3-fold, suggesting that nanoplastics can act as carriers that worsen the effects of other environmental contaminants in marine organisms.