Papers

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Article Tier 2

Charge-specific adverse effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on zebrafish (Danio rerio) development and behavior

Researchers exposed developing zebrafish to positively and negatively charged nanoplastics and found that the positively charged particles were significantly more toxic, accumulating in the brain and gut and causing developmental delays and brain cell death. The two types of nanoplastics affected different neurotransmitter pathways and interacted with different brain receptors, explaining their distinct behavioral effects. The study demonstrates that the surface charge of nanoplastics plays a critical role in determining their toxicity to developing organisms.

2022 Environment International 111 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicity of nanoplastics for zebrafish embryos, what we know and where to go next

This review integrates findings from studies on how polystyrene nanoplastics affect zebrafish embryo development, a widely used model for understanding toxicity. Researchers found that the functional coating on nanoplastic surfaces had a greater influence on toxic effects than particle size or concentration alone. The study highlights that surface chemistry is a critical and often overlooked factor in nanoplastic toxicity, and calls for more standardized study designs to improve comparability across research.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 105 citations
Article Tier 2

Life cycle exposure to differentially charged polystyrene nanoplastics leads to gender-specific particle accumulation and neurotoxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Zebrafish exposed to nanoplastics with different surface charges throughout their entire life cycle showed brain damage, behavior changes, and disrupted brain chemistry. The effects depended on both the type of charge on the plastic and the sex of the fish, with positively charged nanoplastics accumulating most in the brain. This research suggests that the surface properties of nanoplastics matter for their neurotoxicity and that long-term exposure could affect brain health differently in males and females.

2025 Environment International 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Developmental toxicity of functionalized polystyrene microplastics and their inhibitory effects on fin regeneration in zebrafish

Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics with different surface modifications and found that all types caused developmental toxicity, including increased mortality, reduced body length, and impaired swimming ability. The amino-modified particles were generally the most harmful, also inhibiting fin regeneration after injury. The study suggests that surface chemistry plays a critical role in determining how microplastics interact with biological systems.

2025 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Surface functionalisation-dependent adverse effects of metal nanoparticles and nanoplastics in zebrafish embryos

Researchers used high-throughput zebrafish embryo imaging to show that surface functionalization determines the toxicity of metal nanoparticles and nanoplastics, with surface charge and coating chemistry more predictive of hatching failure and malformation rates than particle composition alone.

2021 Environmental Science Nano 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Impacts of Environmental Concentrations of Nanoplastics on Zebrafish Neurobehavior and Reproductive Toxicity

Researchers exposed zebrafish to environmentally realistic levels of polystyrene nanoplastics and found they caused both brain and reproductive damage. The nanoplastics disrupted neurotransmitter signaling and impaired the hormonal pathway connecting the brain to reproductive organs, with different effects in males and females. These findings suggest that even low-level nanoplastic exposure could affect both brain function and fertility in aquatic life that humans may consume.

2024 Toxics 16 citations
Article Tier 2

What Is on the Outside Matters—Surface Charge and Dissolve Organic Matter Association Affect the Toxicity and Physiological Mode of Action of Polystyrene Nanoplastics toC. elegans

Researchers investigated how surface charge and organic matter coatings affect the toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics to the nematode C. elegans. Positively charged nanoplastics were over 60 times more toxic than negatively charged ones, and organic matter coatings reduced toxicity across all particle types. The findings suggest that surface chemistry plays a critical role in nanoplastic toxicity and should be considered when assessing environmental risks.

2021 Environmental Science & Technology 79 citations
Article Tier 2

Charge-dependent negative effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on Oryzias melastigma under ocean acidification conditions

This study tested the combined effects of differentially charged polystyrene nanoplastics and ocean acidification on the marine fish Oryzias melastigma, finding that surface charge significantly influenced both independent and interactive toxicity. Negatively charged particles were generally more harmful, with effects exacerbated under acidified conditions.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics induce neurotoxicity in zebrafish via oxidative stress and neurotransmitter disruption

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found that both particle sizes caused neurodevelopmental toxicity, with nanoplastics being more potent. The plastic particles induced oxidative stress in the brain and disrupted neurotransmitter levels critical for normal neural development. The study suggests that microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in aquatic environments may pose significant risks to the neurological development of fish.

2025 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Role of nanoparticle surface charge in their toxicity

This study examined how surface charge (carboxyl vs. amino functionalization) affects the toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles formed during plastic degradation, noting that nanoparticle toxicity can differ substantially from bulk material. Results highlighted that surface chemistry is a critical determinant of nanoparticle behavior in biological environments.

2024 E3S Web of Conferences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Adverse effects of polystyrene nanoplastic and its binary mixtures with nonylphenol on zebrafish nervous system: From oxidative stress to impaired neurotransmitter system

Researchers investigated the individual and combined effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and the industrial chemical nonylphenol on the zebrafish nervous system over 45 days. Both substances induced oxidative stress and disrupted neurotransmitter systems, with combined exposure generally producing more severe effects on glutamate metabolism and brain tissue damage. The study suggests that the interaction between nanoplastics and co-occurring environmental pollutants can amplify neurotoxic effects in fish.

2022 Environmental Pollution 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics mediated the toxicity of silver nanoparticles in zebrafish embryos

Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics interact with silver nanoparticles and affect zebrafish embryo development. They found that nanoplastics can act as carriers for silver nanoparticles in water, and the combination altered patterns of oxidative stress, immune response, and metabolic function compared to either pollutant alone. The study highlights how nanoplastics may change the way other environmental contaminants affect aquatic organisms.

2023 Frontiers in Marine Science 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Oppositely charged proteins lead to different effects on the bioaccumulation kinetics of polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers studied how positively and negatively charged proteins in water affect the bioaccumulation of polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish. The study found that different protein types altered nanoplastic uptake kinetics in distinct ways, suggesting that the natural protein environment in water bodies plays an important role in determining how nanoplastics accumulate in aquatic organisms.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Swim in Plastics:Clean Nanoplastics Cause MinimalMortality but Alter Neurobehavioral and Molecular Rhythms in Fish

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae to three types of polystyrene nanoplastics with different surface charges (plain, amino-modified, carboxyl-modified) and tracked biodistribution and developmental effects. Up to 10 ppm exposure caused minimal mortality but disrupted swim bladder inflation and affected neurological pathways including circadian rhythm genes, with surface charge determining tissue distribution.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Effects of nanoplastics on zebrafish embryo-larval stages: A case study with polystyrene (PS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particles

Researchers assessed the effects of polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate nanoparticles on zebrafish embryos and larvae over 96 hours. The study found that these nanoplastics affected biochemical endpoints related to neurotransmission, antioxidant status, oxidative damage, and energy metabolism, with effects varying by plastic type. Evidence suggests that smaller plastic particles may have increased bioavailability and reactivity compared to larger fragments.

2022 Environmental Research 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics with different particle sizes at environment-related concentrations on early zebrafish embryos

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes at concentrations found in the environment and observed significant brain damage. The nanoplastics caused loss of neurons, shortened nerve fibers, and disrupted brain signaling systems that control behavior. Smaller nanoplastics caused the most severe damage because they could pass through protective barriers more easily, suggesting that the tiniest plastic particles pose the greatest risk to brain development.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 99 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics enhance the toxicological effects of DDE in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics enhanced the toxicity of the pesticide metabolite DDE in zebrafish larvae, with co-exposure causing greater developmental abnormalities and oxidative stress than either pollutant alone.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Amino modifications exacerbate the developmental abnormalities of polystyrene microplastics via mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway in zebrafish larvae

Researchers found that adding amino functional groups to polystyrene microplastics significantly increased their toxicity to developing zebrafish compared to unmodified particles. The amino-modified microplastics caused greater oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased cell death in zebrafish larvae at environmentally relevant concentrations. The study suggests that surface modifications on microplastics, which can occur through environmental weathering, may make them substantially more harmful to aquatic life.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on lead toxicity in dandelion seedlings

Researchers investigated how different types of functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics affect lead toxicity in dandelion seedlings. The results showed that the surface chemistry of nanoplastics matters: carboxy-modified particles with negative surface charges enhanced lead toxicity, while amino-modified particles with positive charges reduced it, highlighting the complex interactions between nanoplastics and heavy metal contaminants in plants.

2022 Environmental Pollution 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration in Zebrafish

This review covers how micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) exposure affects neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration in zebrafish, summarising evidence on impaired neurodevelopment, behavioural changes, and markers of neurodegeneration from studies using various polymer types and exposure routes. It frames zebrafish as a key model for understanding MNP neurotoxicity.

2025
Article Tier 2

Uptake Routes and Biodistribution of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on Zebrafish Larvae and Toxic Effects on Development

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae to amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics to study uptake routes and biodistribution. The study found that nanoplastics accumulated in target organs and caused toxic developmental effects, providing evidence that these tiny plastic fragments can penetrate biological barriers and interfere with normal development in aquatic organisms.

2023 Fishes 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Accumulation and Embryotoxicity of Polystyrene Nanoparticles at Early Stage of Development of Sea Urchin Embryos Paracentrotus lividus

Researchers exposed sea urchin embryos to polystyrene nanoparticles with different surface charges and studied how the particles accumulated and affected development. They found that positively charged nanoparticles embedded in the embryos' outer membrane and caused significant developmental defects, while negatively charged particles were less harmful. The study suggests that the surface chemistry of nanoplastics plays a key role in determining their toxicity to developing marine organisms.

2014 Environmental Science & Technology 610 citations
Article Tier 2

Ecotoxicological Effects of Nanoplastic and Microplastic Polystyrene Particles on Hyalella azteca: A Comprehensive Study on the Impact of Physical and Chemical Surface Properties

Researchers studied the ecotoxicological effects of polystyrene nano- and microplastics on the freshwater crustacean Hyalella azteca through short- and long-term exposure experiments. The study found that surface properties and functional group modifications of the particles were key determinants of toxicity, with amino-functionalized microplastics and fluorescent nanoplastics showing significant effects on oxidative stress biomarkers and organism development, while unmodified nanoplastics were nearly inert.

2025 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

The role of nanoplastics on the toxicity of the herbicide phenmedipham, using Danio rerio embryos as model organisms

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics altered the toxicity of the herbicide phenmedipham to zebrafish embryos, with combined exposure producing different developmental effects than either contaminant alone, suggesting nanoplastics can modify pesticide bioavailability.

2022 Environmental Pollution 22 citations