We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Toxicity of microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in sentinel freshwater models, Daphnia, Zebrafish and unicellular green algae: A systemic review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed 68 studies on how microplastics and PFAS ("forever chemicals") affect freshwater organisms like Daphnia, zebrafish, and algae, finding that both contaminants are more toxic at chronic low doses than in short-term exposures, and that combining them tends to amplify harm — while noting almost no research has studied them together.
Microplastics (MP) and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants that raise concern due to their potential toxicity to ecosystems and human health. Despite their widespread co-occurrence in freshwater environments, their individual and combined effects on aquatic biota remain poorly understood. This study applied a systematic workflow to identify and analyse 68 relevant studies from over 4,000 screened on the toxicity of MP and/or PFAS in three key freshwater ecotoxicology models: Daphnia , zebrafish, and unicellular green algae. The review highlights differences between acute and chronic exposure effects, emphasizing the need for chronic studies to capture life-cycle impacts. Findings indicate that MP toxicity varies based on shape, size, and polymer type, with chronic exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations showing greater toxicity than acute exposure. Studies on combined toxicity suggest that MP-associated chemicals exacerbate toxic effects, raising concerns as "virgin" MP are rare in natural environments. For PFAS, Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the most studied and widely detected contaminants, with PFOS exhibiting greater toxicity. Few studies showed that some “newer” PFAS have similar toxicity to PFOS and PFOA, while mixtures of PFAS displayed synergistic effects on freshwater organisms. Notably, only one recent study assessed the combined toxicity of PFAS and MP in Daphnia , highlighting a critical research gap. This review identifies key knowledge gaps and research priorities to advance understanding of MP and PFAS mixtures, supporting efforts to protect freshwater ecosystems and public health. • PFAS mixtures exhibited synergistic toxic effects on Daphnia and zebrafish. • Increased toxicity/bioconcentration of PFAS with increasing carbon chain length. • Newer PFAS, PFOS and PFOA alternatives, displayed similar toxic effects on aquatic biota. • Mixtures of MPs + associated chemicals display higher toxicity than MPs alone. • MPs shapes, sizes and polymer type contribute to their toxicity on aquatic biota.
More Papers Like This
The Microplastic–PFAS Nexus: From Co-Occurrence to Combined Toxicity in Aquatic Environments
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the interconnected environmental behavior of microplastics and PFAS ("forever chemicals"), showing that microplastics can act as carriers, concentrators, and secondary sources of PFAS contamination. Researchers found that co-exposure to both pollutants often produces synergistic toxic effects in aquatic organisms, disrupting processes from photosynthesis to neurological development. The study argues that current regulations assessing these pollutants individually are inadequate and must evolve to address their combined effects.
Microplastics as carriers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic environment: interactions and ecotoxicological effects
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastics serve as carriers for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes called forever chemicals, in aquatic environments. The study found that PFAS can attach to microplastic surfaces and accumulate in organisms through the food chain, potentially amplifying the toxic effects of both pollutants. The findings suggest that the combined presence of microplastics and PFAS poses a greater environmental and health risk than either pollutant alone.
Combined toxicity of perfluoroalkyl substances and microplastics on the sentinel species Daphnia magna: Implications for freshwater ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
This study tested how PFAS chemicals (common industrial pollutants) and PET microplastics affect water fleas, both alone and together. The combination caused worse developmental and reproductive problems than either pollutant alone, and organisms with prior chemical exposure history responded differently, showing that microplastics can amplify the harm of other environmental contaminants in ways that are difficult to predict.
Microplastic co-exposure increases PFAS bioaccumulation without universally amplifying toxicity in aquatic organisms: A multi-endpoint meta-analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that microplastics and "forever chemicals" (PFAS) often build up together in water animals, with microplastics helping PFAS accumulate more in their bodies. But this didn't always mean worse health effects: some issues like nerve damage and digestion problems got worse, while others like reproduction and hormone effects didn't change, showing that risk depends on the specific chemical and situation, not one blanket rule.
Unraveling the complexities of microplastics and PFAS synergy to foster sustainable environmental remediation and ecosystem protection: A critical review with novel insights
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microplastics and PFAS (sometimes called 'forever chemicals') interact in the environment, since both often come from the same everyday products. The authors found that microplastics can carry PFAS on their surface, and when organisms are exposed to both together, the combined toxic effects including oxidative stress and reproductive harm can be worse 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.