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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Polystyrene microplastics impact the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes in earthworms by size-dependent toxic effects
ClearMicroplastics impact the accumulation of metals in earthworms by changing the gut bacterial communities
Researchers exposed earthworms to three sizes of polystyrene microplastics (0.1, 10, and 100 micrometers) to study effects on metal accumulation and gut bacteria. The study found that microplastics reduced nickel and lead accumulation in earthworms while significantly altering gut bacterial communities. The results suggest that microplastics influence heavy metal bioavailability in soil organisms by changing gut microbiome composition.
Toxicological effects of polystyrene microplastics on earthworm (Eisenia fetida)
Researchers exposed earthworms to two sizes of polystyrene microplastics in soil for 14 days and found evidence of intestinal cell damage, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. The larger particles accumulated more in earthworm intestines, while both sizes triggered changes in key antioxidant markers. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination in soil can cause measurable biological harm to important soil organisms.
Microplastic-induced reductions in population abundance and body size of soil nematodes
Researchers exposed three species of soil nematodes to polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and found significant reductions in both population numbers and body size after 45 days. The smallest particles (0.1 micrometers) caused the most severe effects, demonstrating that microplastic toxicity to soil organisms is size-dependent.
Size-specific effects of polyethylene microplastics (100–10,000 nm) on the soil resistome and pathogens revealed via metagenomics and machine learning
Researchers incubated polyethylene microplastics of three different sizes in antibiotic-resistant soils and found that smaller particles had the strongest effect on spreading antibiotic resistance genes and increasing pathogen abundance. The microplastics altered soil chemistry, reduced beneficial enzyme activity, and promoted the growth of potentially harmful bacteria while decreasing beneficial species. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution in soils may worsen the spread of antibiotic resistance, with particle size playing a key role.
Polystyrene microplastic exposure induces selective accumulation of antibiotic resistance genes in gut microbiota and its potential health risks
Researchers used advanced genomic techniques to examine how polystyrene microplastic exposure affects antibiotic resistance genes in the gut bacteria of rats. They found that microplastic exposure selectively increased certain types of antibiotic resistance genes and promoted their ability to transfer between bacterial species. The study suggests that microplastic ingestion could contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance within the gut, posing potential health risks.
Size effects of polystyrene microplastics on the accumulation and toxicity of (semi-)metals in earthworms
Researchers studied how different sizes of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics affect the uptake of cadmium and arsenic in earthworms. They found that microplastics facilitated greater accumulation of these metals than nanoplastics by damaging intestinal integrity, with proteomic and metabolomic analysis revealing disruptions to the earthworms' immune and metabolic systems.
Polyvinyl chloride microplastic triggers bidirectional transmission of antibiotic resistance genes in soil-earthworm systems
This study found that PVC microplastics in soil trigger a two-way spread of antibiotic resistance genes between earthworm guts and the surrounding soil. The microplastics increased both the diversity and abundance of these resistance genes, with the transfer happening through bacteria sharing genetic material. This is concerning because earthworms are essential for soil health, and microplastics may be turning soil ecosystems into breeding grounds for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Pivotal role of earthworm gut protists in mediating antibiotic resistance genes under microplastic and sulfamethoxazole stress in soil–earthworm systems
Researchers found that gut protists in earthworms play a pivotal role in mediating the spread of antibiotic resistance genes when earthworms are co-exposed to microplastics and antibiotics in soil, identifying a previously overlooked biological pathway for AMR dissemination.
Effects and mechanisms of polystyrene micro- and nano-plastics on the spread of antibiotic resistance genes from soil to lettuce
Researchers investigated how polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affect the spread of antibiotic resistance genes from soil into lettuce plants. They found that these plastic particles significantly increased the transfer of resistance genes by damaging root cell membranes and altering the microbial community in the soil around the roots. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils could make it easier for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to reach the food we eat.
Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the fitness of earthworms in an agricultural soil
Researchers exposed earthworms to polystyrene microplastics in agricultural soil at various concentrations. The study found that low concentrations had little effect, but high concentrations (1% and above) significantly inhibited growth and increased mortality, suggesting microplastic pollution poses ecological risks to soil organisms in terrestrial ecosystems.
Visualizing and assessing the size-dependent oral uptake, tissue distribution, and detrimental effect of polystyrene microplastics in Eisenia fetida
Researchers investigated size-dependent effects of polystyrene microplastics on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) using particles of 70 nanometers, 1 micrometer, and 10 micrometers at various doses. They found that smaller particles were more readily taken up into tissues and caused greater oxidative stress and tissue damage. The study suggests that nanoscale plastic particles may pose higher ecological risks to soil organisms than larger microplastics due to their enhanced ability to penetrate biological barriers.
Size-dependent effects of polystyrene microplastics on gut metagenome and antibiotic resistance in C57BL/6 mice
Researchers investigated how the size of polystyrene microplastics affects gut microbiome composition and function in mice. The study found that smaller microplastic particles (0.05-0.1 micrometers) had a significantly greater impact on both bacterial and fungal gut communities, as well as metabolic pathways, compared to larger particles (9-10 micrometers). These results suggest that size-dependent effects are an important factor to consider when assessing the health risks of microplastic exposure.
Microplastics enhance the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in mariculture sediments by enriching host bacteria and promoting horizontal gene transfer
Researchers found that polystyrene and PVC microplastics in marine sediments increased the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes by 1.4 to 2.8 times compared to sediment without plastics. PVC was particularly harmful because its chemical additives, including heavy metals and bisphenol A, promoted bacteria to share resistance genes more readily. These findings show that microplastic pollution in oceans is directly contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a major public health concern.
Adsorbed Sulfamethoxazole Exacerbates the Effects of Polystyrene (∼2 μm) on Gut Microbiota and the Antibiotic Resistome of a Soil Collembolan
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics (~2 μm) significantly altered the gut microbiome and antibiotic resistance gene profile of the soil collembolan Folsomia candida, with co-exposure to the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole producing a distinctly different and more pronounced disruption than microplastics alone.
Divergent responses in microbial metabolic limitations and carbon use efficiency to variably sized polystyrene microplastics in soil
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics of all sizes disrupted soil microbe metabolism, but the smallest particles (nanoscale, 0.1 micrometers) caused the most stress. Smaller particles were more likely to enter microbial cells directly and reduce the efficiency with which soil microbes process carbon. This matters because soil microbes play a critical role in carbon cycling, and widespread microplastic contamination could affect how soil stores and releases carbon.
Size effects of microplastics on accumulation and elimination of phenanthrene in earthworms
Researchers examined how microplastic particle size affects the accumulation and elimination of the pollutant phenanthrene in earthworms. They found that smaller microplastics enhanced phenanthrene uptake in earthworm tissues, while larger particles had a less pronounced effect. The study demonstrates that microplastic size influences how organic pollutants interact with soil organisms, with finer particles potentially increasing contaminant bioavailability.
Biodegradable microplastics induced the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in soil: A metagenomic perspective
Researchers found that biodegradable microplastics promoted the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in soil at levels comparable to conventional microplastics, challenging assumptions about their environmental safety.
Multiple perspectives reveal the gut toxicity of polystyrene microplastics on Eisenia fetida: Insights into community signatures of gut bacteria and their translocation
Researchers studied the gut toxicity of polystyrene microplastics on the earthworm Eisenia fetida, examining gut barrier dysfunction, bacterial translocation, and pathogen invasion. The study found that microplastic exposure caused gut barrier damage, including injury to epithelial cells and reduced expression of tight junction genes. Evidence indicates that microplastics can disrupt earthworm gut integrity and alter gut bacterial communities, potentially facilitating pathogen entry.
The effects of small plastic particles on antibiotic resistance gene transfer revealed by single cell and community level analysis
Polystyrene particles of different sizes (0.2–20 µm) promoted conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria, with transfer frequencies up to 14× the blank control in sludge communities, and a non-linear size dependence with particles near bacterial cell size (2 µm) having minimal effect.
Effects of different sizes of polystyrene micro(nano)plastics on soil microbial communities.
This study tested how polystyrene micro- and nanoplastic particles of three sizes affect soil microbial communities and nutrient cycling, finding that smaller particles caused greater disruption to nitrogen cycling and microbial activity. The results suggest that as plastics in soil fragment into smaller pieces over time, their impact on soil biology and fertility may worsen.
Mixture Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on the Gut Microbiota in C57BL/6 Mice
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene microplastics of different sizes, both individually and mixed together, and found that the mixture caused unique changes to gut bacteria and fungi not seen with either size alone. The mixed microplastics also altered microbial genes related to antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in the gut. This suggests that real-world exposure to a mix of microplastic sizes may have different and potentially more harmful effects on gut health than exposure to a single size.
The formation of specific bacterial communities contributes to the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes in the soil plastisphere
Researchers used metagenomic approaches to study how microplastic surfaces in soil become enriched with antibiotic resistance genes through the formation of specific bacterial communities. The study tested three types of microplastics at two particle sizes and found that antibiotic resistance gene abundances significantly increased in the plastisphere compared to surrounding soil. Evidence indicates that microplastics in soil may serve as hotspots for the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Influence of microplastics on antibiotic resistance genes across diverse environments: A comprehensive meta and machine-learning analysis
This large-scale analysis examined how microplastics influence the spread of antibiotic resistance genes across different environments including intestines, wastewater sludge, plants, soil, and water. Researchers found that microplastics significantly boosted antibiotic resistance gene levels in gut, sludge, and plant settings, with particle size and concentration being the most important factors. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution may be helping spread antibiotic resistance, a serious public health concern, through multiple environmental pathways.
Polyvinyl chloride microplastics disseminate antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese soil: A metagenomic analysis
Researchers used metagenomic analysis to investigate how polyvinyl chloride microplastics affect the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese soils. They found that PVC microplastics significantly influenced soil bacterial community composition and increased the abundance of certain antibiotic resistance genes. The study raises concerns that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils may accelerate the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.