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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to An exploratory ecotoxicity study of primary microplastics versus aged in natural waters and wastewaters
ClearIncubation in Wastewater Reduces the Multigenerational Effects of Microplastics inDaphnia magna
Researchers compared the multigenerational toxicity of pristine versus wastewater-aged microplastics on the freshwater organism Daphnia magna. They found that microplastics incubated in wastewater, which sorbed a complex mixture of real-world pollutants, actually showed reduced toxicity compared to pristine particles across multiple generations. The study suggests that environmental aging processes may alter the toxicological profile of microplastics in ways that are not always predictable from laboratory studies with pristine particles.
Ecotoxicological assessment of microplastics in limnic systems with emphasis on chemicals released by weathering
This study examined both the physical and chemical toxicity of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems, with special focus on chemicals released when plastics are weathered by ultraviolet light. The research tested conventional and biodegradable plastics, addressing whether particle properties or leaching chemicals drive ecotoxicological effects.
Difference in sensitivity of Daphnia magna to pristine and aged microplastic fibers
Researchers compared the acute and chronic toxicity of pristine versus UV-aged polyamide, polyacrylonitrile, and polyester microplastic fibers on the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna, also testing natural wool and cellulose fibers as references. Aged plastic fibers showed different toxicity profiles than unaged fibers, with effects on survival, reproduction, growth, and oxygen consumption.
Difference in sensitivity of Daphnia magna to pristine and aged microplastic fibers
Researchers compared the sensitivity of Daphnia magna to pristine versus aged microplastic fibers, which make up a large proportion of environmental plastic pollution. Aged fibers showed different toxicity profiles than pristine fibers, highlighting the need to use environmentally weathered particles in ecotoxicology tests.
Effects of virgin and weathered polystyrene and polypropylene microplastics on Raphidocelis subcapitata and embryos of Danio rerio under environmental concentrations
Researchers tested the effects of virgin and artificially weathered polystyrene and polypropylene microplastics on freshwater algae and zebrafish embryos at environmentally relevant concentrations. They found that low, realistic concentrations sometimes produced adverse effects such as reduced body length and heart rate in embryos, while higher concentrations did not always cause proportionally greater harm. The study raises concerns that even low environmental concentrations of microplastics may affect freshwater organisms.
From Pristine to Laboratory-weathered Micro- and Nanoplastics: Interaction with Environmental Contaminants and Biological Effects
This review contrasts pristine and laboratory-weathered micro- and nanoplastics in terms of surface chemistry, adsorption of co-contaminants, and biological effects, arguing that weathered particles better represent real-world exposures and often exhibit different or greater toxicity.
Rethinking the relevance of microplastics as vector for anthropogenic contaminants: Adsorption of toxicants to microplastics during exposure in a highly polluted stream - Analytical quantification and assessment of toxic effects in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Researchers exposed microplastics in a highly polluted stream to assess their role as contaminant vectors, then tested effects on zebrafish, finding that naturally contaminated microplastics had limited additional toxicity compared to the polluted water itself.
An environmental concentration of aged microplastics with adsorbed silver significantly affects aquatic organisms
Researchers studied how natural biofouling and aging in stream water changes the properties and toxicity of microplastic beads over four weeks. They found that aged microplastics absorbed significantly more silver than pristine ones and released it more intensely, especially in acidic conditions. The study suggests that as microplastics age in the environment, they become more effective at carrying and releasing pollutants, increasing their potential harm to aquatic organisms.
Potential effects of natural aging process on the characteristics and toxicity of facial masks: A zebrafish-based study
Researchers found that naturally aged facial mask microplastics caused greater toxicity in zebrafish than virgin fragments, inducing more severe oxidative stress, immune responses, and intestinal damage due to surface cracking and chemical adsorption during aging.
Impact of virgin and weathered microplastics on zebrafish: Bioaccumulation, developmental toxicity and molecular pathway disruptions
Researchers compared the effects of brand-new versus environmentally weathered microplastics on zebrafish larvae and found that weathered particles were far more toxic, causing 80% mortality compared to 20% for new plastics. The weathered microplastics triggered more severe disruptions to oxidative stress pathways, cell death signaling, and DNA repair mechanisms. The study emphasizes that laboratory tests using only pristine microplastics may significantly underestimate the real-world dangers of plastic pollution.
Exposure medium and particle ageing moderate the toxicological effects of nanomaterials to Daphnia magna over multiple generations: a case for standard test review?
This study found that the toxicological effects of engineered nanomaterials on Daphnia magna varied depending on the exposure medium and whether particles had been environmentally aged, with aged particles behaving differently from pristine ones across multiple generations. The findings suggest that standard ecotoxicology test protocols designed for pristine particles may not accurately reflect real-world risks from weathered nanoplastics and nanomaterials.
Ecotoxicity of polyethylene nanoplastics from the North Atlantic oceanic gyre on freshwater and marine organisms (microalgae and filter-feeding bivalves)
Polyethylene nanoplastics collected from the North Atlantic gyre were compared with reference PE nanoplastics for toxicity to freshwater and marine microalgae and freshwater bivalves, finding that real-world ocean-collected nanoplastics were not consistently more toxic than laboratory-grade particles. The study suggests that environmental weathering and associated contaminant sorption do not necessarily amplify nanoplastic toxicity to primary producers and filter feeders.
Effect of aging on the toxicity of polyethylene microplastics on the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana
Researchers compared the toxicity of new versus artificially aged polyethylene microplastics on an estuarine bivalve species. They found that aged microplastics, which better represent what is actually found in the environment, caused different and sometimes greater biological effects than pristine particles. The study emphasizes the importance of using environmentally realistic aged microplastics in toxicity testing rather than only new materials.
Photo-induced leaching behaviors and biodegradability of dissolved organic matter from microplastics and terrestrial-sourced particles
Researchers studied how light exposure causes microplastics and terrestrial particles to leach dissolved organic matter, and how this leachate behaves in the environment. The study found differences in the biodegradability of leachate from plastic versus natural sources, suggesting that microplastic-derived organic matter may persist differently in aquatic ecosystems.
Ecotoxicological Assessment of Microplastics in Freshwater Sources—A Review
This review assessed microplastic ecotoxicology in freshwater environments, synthesizing evidence of adverse effects on bacteria, algae, daphnids, and fish, and discussing how MP properties (type, size, shape) and adsorbed pollutants influence their bioactivity.
Toxic effects of naturally-aged microplastics on zebrafish juveniles: A more realistic approach to plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems
Researchers exposed juvenile zebrafish to naturally aged polystyrene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations for five days. They found that the microplastics disrupted the fish's antioxidant defenses, indicating oxidative stress, and caused measurable cellular and neurological impacts. The study suggests that even short-term exposure to realistic levels of weathered microplastics can affect the health of freshwater organisms.
Morphometric effects of various weathered and virgin/pure microplastics on sac fry zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Researchers exposed sac fry zebrafish (Danio rerio) to weathered and virgin microplastics of various polymer types and found significant morphometric developmental effects, with weathered plastics generally causing greater biological harm than virgin counterparts due to differences in surface chemistry and plasticizer content.
Microplastics meet micropollutants in a central european river stream: Adsorption of pollutants to microplastics under environmentally relevant conditions
Researchers investigated how microplastics adsorb organic micropollutants in a Central European river under real-world conditions. They found that aged microplastics showed higher adsorption capacity for contaminants compared to pristine ones, and that the type of plastic material influenced which pollutants were absorbed. The findings suggest that microplastics in rivers can act as carriers for harmful chemicals, potentially spreading contamination through aquatic ecosystems.
Weathering pathways and protocols for environmentally relevant microplastics and nanoplastics: What are we missing?
This review highlights a major gap in microplastics research: most lab studies use brand-new, pristine plastic particles, but microplastics in the real world have been weathered by sunlight, water, and biological activity. Weathered microplastics behave differently, releasing more chemicals and interacting with organisms in ways that fresh plastics do not. Only about 10% of published studies have used aged microplastics, meaning current risk assessments may not reflect the true dangers of environmental microplastic exposure.
Assessing the embryotoxicity of polypropylene micro- and nanoplastics generated through simulated environmental weathering in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Researchers generated environmentally weathered polypropylene micro- and nanoplastics through combined UV and mechanical degradation and exposed zebrafish embryos, finding accelerated hatching, abnormal spontaneous movements, altered swimming behavior, and particle accumulation on the egg surface — indicating meaningful developmental and behavioral toxicity during early life stages.
Microplastics in river water: occurrence, weathering, and adsorption behaviour
Researchers examined microplastics in river water, characterizing their occurrence, degree of weathering, and capacity to adsorb co-contaminants. The study highlights microplastics as vectors that can transport and re-release other pollutants in freshwater systems.
Process analysis of microplastic aging during the photochemical oxidation process and its effect on the adsorption behavior of dissolved organic matter
Accelerated UV/persulfate and UV/chlorine oxidation experiments showed that both processes aged microplastics in distinct ways — altering surface chemistry and morphology — which in turn changed how the MPs adsorb dissolved organic matter (DOM) from water. Because aged MPs in real environments bind organic contaminants differently than pristine plastics, these findings are essential for predicting the long-range transport and ecological risk of weathered microplastics in natural water systems.
Quantitative study of microplastic degradation in urban hydrosystems: Comparing in situ environmentally aged microplastics vs. artificially aged materials generated via accelerated photo-oxidation
Researchers compared how polyethylene microplastics degrade in real urban water environments versus under controlled laboratory UV exposure. They found that lab-aged plastics showed primarily physical and chemical changes from UV light, while microplastics collected from stormwater and sediments also showed signs of biological degradation and hydrolysis. The study demonstrates that artificial aging alone does not fully replicate the complex degradation processes microplastics undergo in actual urban water systems.
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.