Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Uptake, removal and trophic transfer of fluorescent polyethylene microplastics by freshwater model organisms: the impact of particle size and food availability

Researchers used fluorescent polyethylene microplastics of different sizes to track how they move through a freshwater food chain from algae to water fleas to zebrafish. They found that smaller particles were ingested and transferred more readily between organisms, and that food availability influenced how many microplastics accumulated. The study demonstrates that microplastics can move up the food chain and that particle size plays a key role in how they are transported through aquatic ecosystems.

2024 Aquatic Toxicology 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of pristine or contaminated polyethylene microplastics on zebrafish development

Researchers examined the effects of both pristine and pollutant-contaminated polyethylene microplastics on zebrafish development through chronic exposure. The study assessed how microplastics, both alone and as carriers of adsorbed organic pollutants, affect developing fish. The findings provide new insights into how contaminated microplastics may create additional routes for toxic compounds to enter aquatic food webs.

2022 Chemosphere 66 citations
Article Tier 2

Special Distribution of Nanoplastics in the Central Nervous System of Zebrafish during Early Development

Researchers injected fluorescent nanoplastics into zebrafish embryos and found the particles became trapped in the brain, eyes, and spinal cord during early development and stayed there rather than moving to other organs. Although the nanoplastics did not embed directly in nerve cells, they still disrupted brain signaling and reduced larval movement, suggesting early-life nanoplastic exposure could interfere with nervous system development.

2024 ACS Nano 27 citations
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

Fluorescent Polypropylene Nanoplastics for Studying Uptake, Biodistribution, and Excretion in Zebrafish Embryos

Researchers developed a method to produce fluorescent polypropylene nanoplastics and tracked their movement in zebrafish embryos. The study found that the nanoplastics were ingested, distributed in the intestine, and eventually excreted, providing a new tool for assessing the biological risks of environmentally relevant plastic particles at the nanoscale.

2022 ACS Omega 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Uptake, bioaccumulation, biodistribution and depuration of polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers used advanced mass spectrometry to track how polystyrene nanoplastics accumulate in and are cleared from zebrafish tissues over time. The nanoplastics concentrated most in the intestine, liver, and gills, with only partial clearance after the exposure ended. This study provides important data on how persistent nanoplastics can be in living organisms, which helps scientists better assess the long-term risks of plastic particle exposure.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Dietary Microplastic Administration during Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Development: A Comprehensive and Comparative Study between Larval and Juvenile Stages

Researchers compared how zebrafish at different developmental stages respond to microplastics mixed into their feed, testing various particle sizes and concentrations. They found that larval fish were more sensitive than juveniles, and that smaller microplastics caused greater accumulation in the body. The study provides evidence that early life stages of fish are particularly vulnerable to dietary microplastic exposure, which is relevant for understanding contamination risks in aquaculture.

2023 Animals 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Bioaccumulation of various nanoplastic particles in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers exposed larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) to 40-60 nm and 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastic particles using standard fish embryo toxicity and general behavioral toxicity assays from 6-120 hours post-fertilization, combining toxicity endpoints with fluorescence microscopy to confirm particle uptake and excretion. The study demonstrated nanoplastic accumulation within zebrafish larvae at tested concentrations, providing mechanistic insights into aquatic organism exposure dynamics for nanoplastics.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of accumulation and biodistribution of polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio) via artificial freshwater

Researchers developed MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry methods to accurately track polystyrene nanoplastic accumulation and biodistribution across zebrafish tissues after waterborne exposure, enabling precise quantitative analysis of nanoplastic uptake.

2023 Environmental Science Nano 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Application of internal persistent fluorescent fibers in tracking microplastics in vivo processes in aquatic organisms

A new method for producing fluorescent microfibers of controlled length was developed using a fiber slicer, and these fibers were successfully tracked inside aquatic organisms including water fleas, shrimp, and zebrafish using ultraviolet imaging. The technique provides a practical tool for studying how microfibers move through and accumulate within living organisms.

2020 Journal of Hazardous Materials 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Uptake and Accumulation of Polystyrene Microplastics in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Toxic Effects in Liver

Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics of two different sizes and tracked where the particles accumulated in the body. They found that smaller particles (5 micrometers) built up in the gills, liver, and gut, while larger particles (20 micrometers) mainly stayed in the gills and gut. The microplastics caused liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted fat metabolism, suggesting that ingested microplastics can damage internal organs in fish.

2016 Environmental Science & Technology 1980 citations
Article Tier 2

Uptake, tissue distribution, and toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers tracked the uptake and distribution of polystyrene nanoparticles in developing zebrafish and found that the particles accumulated in the yolk sac and then spread to the brain, liver, heart, and other organs. While the nanoparticles did not cause significant mortality or deformities, they did reduce heart rate and alter swimming behavior. The study suggests that nanoplastics can penetrate biological barriers and accumulate in multiple tissues during early development.

2017 Aquatic Toxicology 614 citations
Article Tier 2

An end to the controversy over the microscopic detection and effects of pristine microplastics in fish organs

Researchers conducted feeding experiments with zebrafish to resolve conflicting findings about microplastic detection and effects in fish. They found that zebrafish generally recognize plastic particles as inedible but ingest them when mixed with food, and effectively eliminate most particles within 24 hours, though larger particles take longer to clear. The study demonstrates using confocal microscopy to track plastic microbead uptake and translocation in fish for the first time, while finding no histopathological damage from pristine microplastic ingestion.

2020 Scientific Reports 141 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Limnic Ecosystems - Investigation of Biological Fate and Effects of Microplastic Particles and Associated Contaminants in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)-

This doctoral thesis investigated how microplastics and their associated chemical contaminants affect zebrafish (Danio rerio) in freshwater environments, including ingestion, tissue accumulation, and toxicological effects. The research demonstrates that microplastics can act as vectors for pollutants like pesticides and pharmaceuticals, compounding their harmful effects on aquatic organisms.

2020 heiDOK (Heidelberg University) 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Size-dependent and tissue specific accumulation of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics in zebrafish

Researchers tracked size-dependent accumulation of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in multiple zebrafish tissues, finding that smaller particles distributed more broadly throughout the body compared to larger ones. Nanoplastics showed greater systemic distribution including into brain and reproductive tissues, raising concerns about size-dependent health risks.

2025 Aquatic Toxicology
Article Tier 2

Quantitative assessment and monitoring of microplastics and nanoplastics distributions and lipid metabolism in live zebrafish using hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

Researchers developed a new imaging technique to watch microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in live zebrafish in real time, without needing dyes or labels. They found that these tiny plastic particles built up in the fish's digestive system and disrupted fat metabolism, providing direct visual evidence of how micro- and nanoplastics can interfere with basic biological processes.

2024 Environment International 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Lead to Hyperactive Swimming Behaviour in Adult Zebrafish

Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics across a wide concentration range and found that microplastics accumulated primarily in the gastrointestinal tract and gills. The study revealed that exposed fish exhibited hyperactive swimming behavior, suggesting that microplastic ingestion can affect locomotor activity even without obvious physical damage to internal organs.

2020 Aquatic Toxicology 178 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects on Zebrafish of Chemical Contaminants and Additives Present in Microplastics

Researchers fed zebrafish for 60 days on diets containing 10% environmental microplastics collected from beaches in Lanzarote and Tenerife, alongside clean pellet and control groups, then analyzed chemical contaminants in tissues by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. Results confirmed bioaccumulation of plastic additives and chemical contaminants in zebrafish tissues over time, with plastic synthesizers reaching the highest tissue concentrations followed by plasticizers.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Research progress of model animal zebrafish in toxicity evaluation of microplastics

This review examines the use of zebrafish as a model organism for evaluating the toxicity of microplastics, synthesizing research on how microplastic exposure affects development, reproduction, and physiological function in this well-established vertebrate model. The authors highlight zebrafish as a particularly valuable system for mechanistic toxicology studies given its genetic tractability and the breadth of endpoints assessable across life stages.

2022 SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of Bisphenol Compounds and the Bioaccumulation after Co-Exposure with Polyethylene Microplastics in Zebrafish

Researchers developed a method to measure how bisphenol A and bisphenol S accumulate in zebrafish tissues when microplastics are also present. They found that microplastics increased the accumulation of these hormone-disrupting chemicals in fish tissues, with BPA building up more than BPS. The evidence indicates that microplastics can act as carriers that enhance the uptake of harmful chemicals by aquatic organisms.

2024 Toxics 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Comprehensive review of ecological risks and toxicity mechanisms of microplastics in freshwater: Focus on zebrafish as a model organism

This comprehensive review examines how microplastics affect zebrafish, a widely used laboratory model, covering impacts on the gut, liver, reproductive system, nervous system, and immune function. Researchers found that microplastics can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of gut bacteria across multiple organ systems. The review highlights that zebrafish studies provide valuable insights into the biological mechanisms by which microplastics may affect freshwater organisms and, potentially, human health.

2025 Aquatic Toxicology 4 citations
Article Tier 2

When Fluorescence Is not a Particle: The Tissue Translocation of Microplastics in Daphnia magna Seems an Artifact

Researchers investigated whether fluorescent polystyrene microplastic beads truly translocate from the gut to body tissues in the water flea Daphnia magna, as previous studies had reported. Using confocal microscopy and passive sampling, they found that the fluorescent dye leached off the plastic beads and accumulated in lipid droplets independently of the particles themselves. The study demonstrates that using fluorescence as a proxy for tracking microplastics can produce misleading results about tissue uptake.

2019 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 182 citations
Article Tier 2

Combined effects of high-fat diet and polystyrene microplastic exposure on microplastic bioaccumulation and lipid metabolism in zebrafish

Researchers studied how a high-fat diet combined with polystyrene microplastic exposure affects zebrafish, finding that obese fish accumulated significantly more microplastics in their tissues. The high-fat diet disrupted lipid metabolism and created conditions that increased microplastic retention in the body. This suggests that diet and body fat levels may influence how much microplastic accumulates in living organisms, with potential implications for human health.

2023 Fish & Shellfish Immunology 37 citations
Article Tier 2

[Effects of Microplastics on Embryo Hatching and Intestinal Accumulation in Larval Zebrafish Danio rerio].

Researchers examined the effects of two sizes of polystyrene microplastics (10 µm and 0.5 µm) on embryo hatching rates and intestinal accumulation in fish larvae, finding that the smaller submicron particles accumulated more readily in intestinal tissue, raising concerns about early developmental exposure.

2021 PubMed 7 citations