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Papers
598 resultsWhen antibiotics encounter microplastics in aquatic environments: Interaction, combined toxicity, and risk assessments
A meta-analysis of the combined toxicity of antibiotics and microplastics in aquatic environments found significant adverse effects on algae but limited apparent effects on fish and daphnia. Microplastics alter antibiotic environmental behavior through adsorption and co-transport, and their coexistence is widespread across global aquatic study sites, though standardized risk assessment methods for combined exposure remain lacking.
Meta-analysis of the hazards of microplastics in freshwaters using species sensitivity distributions
This meta-analysis built species sensitivity distributions for microplastics in freshwater and found that predicted no-effect concentrations for pristine microplastics were lower than for weathered ones, suggesting lab studies with new plastics may overestimate real-world hazards. The research highlights that most ecotoxicological studies use pristine microplastics at concentrations far exceeding environmental levels, complicating ecological risk assessment.
Numeric uptake drives nanoplastic toxicity: Size-effects uncovered by toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic (TKTD) modeling
This study used mathematical models to predict how different sizes of nanoplastics accumulate in and harm tiny water organisms (Daphnia magna). The smallest nanoplastics (30 nanometers) were the most toxic because they spread throughout the body, while larger ones mostly stayed in the gut. This size-dependent toxicity pattern is important because it suggests that the tiniest plastic particles, which are hardest to detect, may pose the greatest health risks.
Nanoplastics as Gene and Epigenetic Modulators of Endocrine Functions: A Perspective
This review summarizes how nanoplastics act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with thyroid and sex hormones in animal studies and causing DNA and epigenetic changes that could be passed to future generations. With nanoplastics already detected in human breast milk and placenta, the research underscores the need for more studies on how chronic exposure may affect human hormone function and reproductive health.
Ecotoxicity of polylactic acid microplastic fragments to Daphnia magna and the effect of ultraviolet weathering
Scientists compared the toxicity of biodegradable PLA (polylactic acid) microplastics with conventional polyethylene microplastics on water fleas, a key species in aquatic food chains. The biodegradable PLA microplastics were actually more acutely toxic than conventional ones, partly because their higher density led to greater accumulation in the organisms. UV weathering further increased the toxicity of PLA microplastics, challenging the assumption that biodegradable plastics are automatically safer for the environment.
The complexity of micro- and nanoplastic research in the genus Daphnia – A systematic review of study variability and a meta-analysis of immobilization rates
This meta-analysis examines how micro- and nanoplastics affect Daphnia, a tiny water creature widely used to test the toxicity of pollutants. The research found that plastics can harm Daphnia survival and reproduction, which matters because these organisms are at the base of freshwater food chains that ultimately connect to human water and food sources.
Biodegradation of various grades of polyethylene microplastics by Tenebrio molitor and Tenebrio obscurus larvae: Effects on their physiology
Mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor and Tenebrio obscurus) were fed different grades of polyethylene plastic to test their ability to biodegrade this common plastic. Both species could consume and partially break down all three types of polyethylene, though the process caused oxidative stress and shifted their gut bacteria. This research suggests biological degradation of plastic waste is possible, which could help reduce the environmental breakdown of plastics into harmful microplastics.
Multigenerational toxic effects in Daphnia pulex are induced by environmental concentrations of tire wear particle leachate
Tiny water fleas exposed to chemicals leaching from tire wear particles across three generations showed impaired growth, delayed reproduction, and reduced offspring, even at concentrations found in the environment. These effects carried over to unexposed offspring, suggesting that tire-derived pollution can cause harm that passes from one generation to the next.
Combined toxicity of perfluoroalkyl substances and microplastics on the sentinel species Daphnia magna: Implications for freshwater ecosystems
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.
Fragmentation of polypropylene into microplastics promoted by photo-aging; release of metals, toxicity and inhibition of biodegradability
This study showed that when polypropylene plastic ages in sunlight, it fragments into microplastics much faster and releases metal contaminants that were originally added during manufacturing. The resulting particles and chemical leachates were toxic to aquatic organisms and resistant to biodegradation, meaning aged plastics in the environment are more hazardous than fresh ones.
The effect of microplastics on <i>Daphnia</i> fitness – Systematic review and meta‐analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis examines how micro- and nanoplastics affect the health and reproduction of Daphnia, a key freshwater organism used in toxicity testing. The findings confirm that plastic particles can harm these organisms, which is significant because Daphnia are a foundational species in freshwater ecosystems connected to human water supplies.
From marine to freshwater environment: A review of the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics
This review summarizes research on how microplastics affect aquatic organisms in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Microplastics cause a range of harmful effects including behavioral changes, metabolic disruption, immune suppression, and reproductive problems in fish, shellfish, and plankton. The review highlights that freshwater species have been studied far less than marine ones, even though freshwater ecosystems are often closer to pollution sources and more directly connected to human water supplies.
Accumulation Kinetics and Gut Microenvironment Responses to Environmentally Relevant Doses of Micro/Nanoplastics by Zooplankton <i>Daphnia Magna</i>
This study tracked how tiny zooplankton (Daphnia magna) accumulate micro and nanoplastics of different sizes and surface charges at environmentally realistic concentrations. The organisms readily consumed all particle types, with larger and positively charged plastics accumulating the most, and the particles disrupted their gut microbiome. Since zooplankton are a key food source for fish, this accumulation could transfer microplastics up the food chain toward humans.
Effects of dissolved organic matter on the toxicity of micro- and nanoplastic particles to Daphnia - a meta-analysis
This meta-analysis pools data from 13 studies to examine whether dissolved organic matter in water can reduce the harmful effects of micro- and nanoplastics on water fleas. The findings suggest that certain natural substances in water may lessen plastic particle toxicity, offering insight into how environmental conditions influence the real-world risks of microplastic pollution.
Microplastics from cigarette filters: Comparative effects on selected terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates
Researchers compared the effects of microplastics from smoked and unsmoked cigarette filters on both land and water invertebrates. Smoked filter microplastics were more toxic due to the added chemicals from tobacco smoke, causing reduced survival and reproduction in the test organisms. Since cigarette butts are one of the most littered items worldwide, this study shows they are a significant and underappreciated source of toxic microplastic pollution in the environment.
Individual and combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and clothianidin toward <i>Daphnia magna</i>, <i>Lemna minor</i>, <i>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</i>, and <i>Microcystis aeruginosa</i>
Scientists tested polystyrene nanoplastics and a common insecticide (clothianidin) both alone and together on four different freshwater organisms. Surprisingly, the combined exposure was generally less toxic than predicted, showing antagonistic interactions where the two pollutants partially canceled out each other's effects. However, the nanoplastics alone still caused long-lasting harm to water flea reproduction that carried over to offspring born after exposure ended, suggesting nanoplastics can have multi-generational effects.
Epigenetic and Gene Expression Responses of Daphnia magna to Polyethylene and Polystyrene Microplastics
This study exposed water fleas to polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics and found that both types caused changes in gene activity and epigenetic modifications, which are chemical changes that affect how genes work without altering the DNA itself. Polystyrene caused more severe effects, altering genes involved in stress response, immune function, and reproduction. These epigenetic changes are concerning because they can potentially be passed to future generations, suggesting microplastics could have long-lasting biological effects beyond direct exposure.
Label-Free Identification and Imaging of Microplastic and Nanoplastic Biouptake Using Optical Photothermal Infrared Microspectroscopy
Researchers developed a new imaging technique that can locate and identify microplastic and nanoplastic particles inside whole organisms without needing fluorescent labels. Using a method called optical photothermal infrared microscopy, they tracked polystyrene particles as small as 1 micrometer in roundworms. This tool could help scientists better understand how plastic particles are taken up by living things and where they accumulate in the body.
Acute toxicity of natural and synthetic clothing fibers towards Daphnia magna: Influence of fiber type and morphology
Researchers tested the toxicity of natural and synthetic clothing fibers on small freshwater organisms (Daphnia magna) and found that nylon microfibers were acutely toxic, while natural fibers like cotton and silk caused no significant harm. Smoother fibers were more toxic than frayed ones, and the actual ingestion of fibers mattered more than how many were present in the water. These findings are important because textile fibers make up a large portion of microplastics in waterways and can enter the human food chain through contaminated aquatic organisms.
Toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic modeling reveals the ecological risks of differently-sized polystyrene nanoplastics
Using advanced modeling, researchers determined safety thresholds for different sizes of polystyrene nanoplastics in aquatic organisms. Smaller nanoplastics (30 nm) were the most toxic, while 80 nm particles were unusually persistent because they accumulated at the highest levels and were eliminated the slowest. The study provides important data for setting environmental safety standards that could help protect both aquatic ecosystems and the humans who depend on them for food.
Meta-analysis reveals temperature increase exacerbates microplastic toxicity in freshwater invertebrates
This meta-analysis pools data from multiple studies to show that rising temperatures make microplastics more toxic to freshwater invertebrates. The combined stress of warming water and plastic pollution caused greater harm to growth, reproduction, and survival than either stressor alone, suggesting that climate change will worsen the ecological and health impacts of microplastic contamination.
Quantifying the Dynamics of Polystyrene Microplastics UV-Aging Process
Researchers used a specialized mass spectrometry technique to track how polystyrene microplastics break down under UV light, quantifying changes in both particle size and number over time. They found that UV aging rapidly shrank particles from 5 micrometers down to 1 micrometer while tripling the total particle count, generating large numbers of smaller fragments. Toxicity tests on water fleas showed that fresh microplastics caused immediate harm to feeding and growth, while aged fragments produced longer-term reproductive effects.
Microplastics and Antibiotics in Aquatic Environments: A Review of Their Interactions and Ecotoxicological Implications
This review examines how microplastics and antibiotics interact when they meet in water, and what that means for ecosystems and health. Antibiotics can attach to microplastic surfaces through chemical bonds, and the microplastics can then carry these drugs through the environment, potentially spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While the combined threat to fish and other aquatic life needs more study, the findings raise concerns about how microplastics help move antibiotic resistance through water systems.
A short-term exposure to saxitoxin triggers a multitude of deleterious effects in Daphnia magna at levels deemed safe for human health
This study found that saxitoxin, a natural toxin produced during harmful algal blooms, harmed the tiny freshwater organism Daphnia magna even at concentrations considered safe for humans. The toxin caused oxidative stress, disrupted energy metabolism, and damaged DNA in the organisms. While not directly about microplastics, this research is relevant because microplastics can interact with algal toxins in waterways, potentially changing how these harmful substances move through ecosystems.