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Papers
165 resultsShowing papers from Zhejiang Ocean University
ClearImpact of microplastics on microbial diversity and pathogen distribution in aquaculture ecosystems: A seasonal analysis
Researchers studied bacteria growing on microplastics in fish farming waters and found that in summer, these plastic-attached communities became more connected and harbored several disease-causing species including Vibrio. Microplastics in aquaculture act as floating habitats for harmful bacteria, and seasonal warming makes this worse, raising concerns about seafood safety and the spread of infections to humans.
Trophic-transferred hierarchical fragmentation of microplastics inducing distinct bio-adaptations via a microalgae-mussel-crab food chain
Researchers tracked how microplastics move through a three-level marine food chain -- from algae to mussels to crabs -- and found that the particles break into progressively smaller fragments at each stage. These smaller fragments penetrated deeper into animal tissues and caused increasing DNA damage at higher levels of the food chain, demonstrating how microplastic contamination intensifies as it moves toward species that humans eat.
Antibiotic resistance in aquaculture and aquatic organisms: a review of current nanotechnology applications for sustainable management
Researchers reviewed how antibiotics released from aquaculture and other industries accumulate in aquatic ecosystems, promoting antibiotic resistance, and assessed nanotechnology-based interventions — including nanodrug delivery, nanoformulations, and nanosensors — as promising tools for sustainable management of these emerging contaminants.
Simultaneous exposure to microplastics and heavy metal lead induces oxidative stress, histopathological damage, and immune dysfunction in marine mussel Mytilus coruscus
When marine mussels were exposed to both microplastics and the heavy metal lead together, the combined effect was worse than either pollutant alone. The combination caused more severe tissue damage, higher oxidative stress, and greater immune system disruption, which is concerning because in real ocean environments, microplastics and heavy metals commonly occur together.
Investigation of nephrotoxicity on mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics and the potential amelioration effects of DHA-enriched phosphatidylserine
A mouse study found that polystyrene nanoplastics (100 nanometers in size) caused kidney damage through inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted fat processing. An omega-3 fatty acid compound called DHA-enriched phosphatidylserine helped protect the kidneys by reducing inflammation and restoring antioxidant defenses. This suggests that certain dietary supplements might help counteract some of the harmful effects of nanoplastic exposure on kidney health.
Exploring the Mechanism of Kidney Injury in Mice Induced by High-Fat Diet and Polystyrene Nanoplastics Co-Exposure Through the Kidney-Gut Axis
In a mouse study, the combination of a high-fat diet and polystyrene nanoplastics caused worse kidney damage than either exposure alone, working through the kidney-gut connection. The nanoplastics plus high-fat diet disrupted gut bacteria, increased inflammation, and triggered a harmful immune response that traveled from the gut to the kidneys. This suggests that people who eat high-fat diets may be more vulnerable to kidney damage from nanoplastic exposure.
Combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and cadmium on oxidative stress, apoptosis, and GH/IGF axis in zebrafish early life stages
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene microplastics and cadmium, both alone and together, and found that the combination caused significantly worse effects than either pollutant individually. Co-exposure amplified oxidative stress, increased cell death in the spine and esophagus, and disrupted growth hormone pathways more severely than single exposures. The findings suggest that microplastics and heavy metals in waterways may interact to create heightened risks for developing fish.
The outbreak of Drupella snails and its catastrophic effects on coral reefs: a comprehensive review
This review examines outbreaks of Drupella snails that feed on coral polyps and can cause severe damage to coral reef ecosystems. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because coral reef degradation, which can be worsened by microplastic pollution and other environmental stressors, may actually trigger Drupella outbreaks. Healthy coral reefs support fisheries and protect coastlines, so any factor that contributes to their decline, including microplastic pollution, has downstream effects on the communities that depend on them.
Microplastic pollution and ecological risk assessment of Yueqing Bay affected by intensive human activities
Scientists surveyed microplastic pollution in Yueqing Bay, China, finding contamination in seawater, sediments, and marine organisms, with mariculture and shipping identified as major sources. The pollution levels ranged from low to medium compared with other coastal areas, but the ecological risk assessment found concerning levels for certain plastic polymers. The study highlights how concentrated human activities along coastlines contribute to microplastic contamination of marine environments and the organisms people harvest for food.
Preparation and characterization of cysteine-rich collagen peptide and its antagonistic effect on microplastic induced damage to HK-2 cells
Scientists developed a special protein fragment rich in the amino acid cysteine that protected human kidney cells from damage caused by microplastics in lab experiments. The peptide reduced harmful oxidation and inflammation triggered by microplastic exposure. This research points toward potential protective nutrients that could help the body defend against microplastic-related kidney damage.
Micro and nanoplastics ravaging our agroecosystem: A review of occurrence, fate, ecological impacts, detection, remediation, and prospects
This review examines how micro and nanoplastics are infiltrating agricultural ecosystems through plastic mulch, irrigation water, sewage sludge, and other sources. Researchers found evidence that these particles harm soil organisms, reduce crop growth, and can carry toxic chemicals up the food chain to humans. The paper highlights the urgent need for better detection methods and remediation strategies to protect food production systems.
A review: Research progress on microplastic pollutants in aquatic environments
This review summarizes current research on microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, including sources, detection methods, and ecological effects. The study highlights that microplastics can carry heavy metals and organic pollutants, forming complex contaminant combinations that accumulate through the food chain with potentially unpredictable consequences for both aquatic life and human health.
Efficacy of DHA-enriched phosphatidylserine and its underlying mechanism in alleviating polystyrene nanoplastics-induced hepatotoxicity in mice
This study found that a nutrient derived from marine sources, DHA-enriched phosphatidylserine, could protect mouse livers from damage caused by polystyrene nanoplastics. The nanoplastics disrupted gut bacteria and caused liver inflammation, but the DHA compound helped restore gut health and reduce liver injury. This research suggests that certain dietary supplements might help counteract some of the harmful effects of nanoplastic exposure on the digestive system.
Colonization characteristics and dynamic transition of archaea communities on polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in the sediments of mangrove ecosystems
Researchers found that microplastics in mangrove sediments host distinct communities of archaea (ancient microorganisms) that differ from those in surrounding sediments, with some species linked to increased methane production. The microbial communities on microplastic surfaces shifted over time and showed increased potential for methane emissions and changes in nitrogen cycling. This suggests that microplastic pollution in coastal wetlands could amplify greenhouse gas production and disrupt nutrient cycles that support these critical ecosystems.
Water Quality Impact on Fish Behavior: A Review From an Aquaculture Perspective
This review examines how various water quality factors, including microplastic pollution, affect fish behavior in aquaculture settings. Microplastics and other pollutants can alter fish swimming patterns, feeding behavior, stress responses, and social interactions. Understanding these behavioral changes is important for both fish welfare and food production, since stressed or contaminated fish may be lower quality for human consumption.
Adsorption of bisphenol S onto polyethylene terephthalate microfibers and their combined effects in oysters
Researchers studied how polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microfibers interact with the chemical bisphenol S in seawater and what happens when oysters are exposed to both. They found that PET fibers readily absorb bisphenol S and that oysters accumulate both contaminants, with combined exposure triggering genes related to oxidative stress and immune response. The findings suggest that microplastics can act as carriers for harmful chemicals in marine environments, altering how organisms absorb pollutants.
Distribution and diversity of microplastics along the aquatic food web in the largest mangrove reserve of China
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across the food web in China's largest natural mangrove reserve, examining fish, crabs, shrimp, and bivalves. They found that fish contained the most microplastics, and that organisms feeding indiscriminately accumulated more plastic particles than selective feeders. The study introduces a microplastic diversity index that reveals surprisingly complex contamination patterns across different species and trophic levels in mangrove ecosystems.
Applications of Fluorescence Technology for Rapid Identification of Marine Plastic Pollution
This review examines how fluorescence-based technologies can be used to rapidly identify and classify plastic pollution in marine environments. Researchers found that analyzing differences in fluorescence lifetimes and intensities of different plastics, combined with various fluorescent dyes, enables effective detection of microplastics. The study highlights fluorescence technology as a promising low-cost tool for monitoring ocean plastic contamination.
From Spat to Adult: Investigating Microplastic Accumulation in <i>Crassostrea hongkongensis</i> of Varying Sizes
Researchers tracked microplastic accumulation in wild oysters of different sizes over three months in a Chinese mariculture bay. They found that while larger oysters accumulated more total microplastics, smaller oysters had significantly higher concentrations per gram of body tissue. The study also found evidence of oxidative stress linked to microplastic exposure, providing the first field-based evidence of a size-dependent pattern in how wild oysters accumulate plastic particles from spat to adult.
Single and Combined Effects of Polystyrene Nanoplastics and Dibutyl Phthalate on Hybrid Snakehead (Channa maculata ♀ × Channa argus ♂)
Researchers studied the individual and combined effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and the chemical plasticizer dibutyl phthalate on a commercially important freshwater fish. The nanoplastics alone inhibited growth and caused liver and intestinal damage, and co-exposure with the plasticizer made these effects worse. The findings suggest that microplastics and the chemicals they carry can have compounding harmful effects on aquatic organisms.
Combined Toxicities of Di-Butyl Phthalate and Polyethylene Terephthalate to Zebrafish Embryos
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polyethylene terephthalate microplastics and the plasticizer di-butyl phthalate, both alone and in combination. While the microplastics alone mainly delayed hatching, the plasticizer caused severe developmental abnormalities and death. The study found that the microplastics actually reduced the toxicity of the plasticizer by adsorbing it, though they also slowed its breakdown, creating a more persistent exposure risk.
A comprehensive evaluation of microplastic pollution in the Xiangshan Bay of China with special reference to seasonal variation
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the semi-enclosed Xiangshan Bay in China across spring and summer seasons. The study found that microplastic abundance in surface water was significantly higher in summer than spring, with different pollution sources dominating each season — textile industry in spring and fishery production in summer — suggesting seasonal human activities strongly influence microplastic contamination patterns.
Microplastic pollution in water and sediment in a textile industrial area
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in water and sediment samples from a textile industrial area in Shaoxing, China. They found high levels of contamination, with polyester fibers dominating both water and sediment samples at up to 95% of all plastics detected. The findings directly link the local textile manufacturing and trading activities to the elevated microplastic pollution in nearby freshwater environments.
Impacts of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) microplastic exposure on physiology and metabolic profiles of Litopenaeus vannamei
Researchers exposed Pacific white shrimp to biodegradable PHB microplastics and found that while short-term exposure up to 100 mg/L showed no acute toxicity, long-term feeding with higher concentrations led to reduced survival, slower growth, and changes in metabolic pathways. The metabolic disruptions included alterations in amino acid and lipid metabolism, suggesting the shrimp's bodies were under significant stress. The findings indicate that even biodegradable plastics can have meaningful negative effects on marine aquaculture species over time.