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Aquatic Toxicology (Amsterdam,... Feb 2024Because of widespread environmental contamination, there is growing concern that nanoplastics may pose a risk to humans and the environment. Due to their small particle...
Because of widespread environmental contamination, there is growing concern that nanoplastics may pose a risk to humans and the environment. Due to their small particle size, nanoplastics may cross the blood-nerve barrier and distribute within the nervous system. The present study systematically investigated the uptake/distribution and developmental/neurobehavioral toxicities of different sizes (80, 200, and 500 nm) of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS) in embryonic and juvenile zebrafish. The results indicate that all three sizes of PS could cross the chorion, adsorb by the yolk, and distribute into the intestinal tract, eye, brain, and dorsal trunk of zebrafish, but with different patterns. The organ distribution and observed developmental and neurobehavioral effects varied as a function of PS size. Although all PS exposures induced cell death and inflammation at the cellular level, only exposures to the larger PS resulted in oxidative stress. Meanwhile, exposure to the 80 nm PS increased the expression of neural and optical-specific mRNAs. Collectively, these studies indicate that early life-stage exposures to PS adversely affect zebrafish neurodevelopment and that the observed toxicities are influenced by particle size.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Polystyrenes; Zebrafish; Microplastics; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38266469
DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106842 -
Chemosphere Jun 2022Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are recognized as a class of emerging and ubiquitous contaminants in soil, which influence the behavior of pollutants and have potential...
Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are recognized as a class of emerging and ubiquitous contaminants in soil, which influence the behavior of pollutants and have potential adverse impacts on organisms. This study explored the potential mechanisms of polystyrene microplastics (MPs, 10 μm) and nanoplastics (NPs, 100 nm) with different concentrations (10 and 100 mg/kg) in soil on the accumulation and elimination of pyrene in earthworms, Eisenia fetida. MPs facilitated the accumulation of pyrene by earthworms in the first week via injuring the integrity of earthworm intestine. The representative antioxidant enzyme activities indicated that MPs induced severer oxidative stress to earthworms than NPs, especially at the concentration of 100 mg/kg, thus leading to increased accumulation of pyrene by earthworms at the initial stage. In addition, high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that NPs inhibited the pyrene-degrading bacteria in earthworms, resulting in the higher concentration of pyrene in the end. The results elucidated the effects of MNPs with different sizes and concentrations on the accumulation of organic pollutants in the terrestrial invertebrates.
Topics: Animals; Microplastics; Oligochaeta; Plastics; Polystyrenes; Pyrenes; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Soil; Soil Pollutants
PubMed: 35189193
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134059 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Sep 2022Generally, individual microplastics (MPs) or lead (Pb) exposure could initiate ovarian toxicity. However, their combined effects on the ovary and its mechanism in...
Generally, individual microplastics (MPs) or lead (Pb) exposure could initiate ovarian toxicity. However, their combined effects on the ovary and its mechanism in mammals remained unclear. Female C57BL/6 mice were used in this study to investigate the combined ovarian toxicity of polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs, 0.1 mg/d/mouse) and Pb (1 g/L) for 28 days. Results showed that co-exposure to PS-MPs and Pb increased the accumulation of Pb in ovaries, the histopathological damage in ovaries and uterus, the serum malondialdehyde levels and decreased serum superoxide dismutase and sex hormone levels significantly when compared with single PS-MPs and Pb exposure. These observations indicated that co-exposure exerted more severe toxicity to mouse ovaries and uterus. Furthermore, co-exposure to PS-MPs and Pb caused endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by activating the PERK/eIF2α signaling pathway in the ovary, which resulted in apoptosis. However, the oxidative and ovarian damage were alleviated, and the mRNA levels of genes related to the PERK/eIF2α signaling pathway were down-regulated to levels of the control mice in the PS-MPs and Pb co-exposed mice administered with ER stress inhibitor (Salubrinal, Sal) or the antioxidant (N-acetyl-cysteine, NAC). In conclusion, our findings suggested that the combination of PS-MPs and Pb aggravated ovarian toxicity in mice by inducing oxidative stress and activating the PERK/eIF2α signaling pathway, thereby providing a basis for future studies into the combined toxic mechanism of PS-MPs and Pb in mammals.
Topics: Animals; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2; Female; Lead; Mammals; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microplastics; Ovary; Plastics; Polystyrenes; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 35981484
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113966 -
Effect of Nanoplastic Type and Surface Chemistry on Particle Agglomeration over a Salinity Gradient.Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Jul 2021Agglomeration of nanoplastics in waters can alter their transport and fate in the environment. Agglomeration behavior of 4 nanoplastics differing in core composition...
Agglomeration of nanoplastics in waters can alter their transport and fate in the environment. Agglomeration behavior of 4 nanoplastics differing in core composition (red- or blue-dyed polystyrene) and surface chemistry (plain or carboxylated poly[methyl methacrylate] [PMMA]) was investigated across a salinity gradient. No agglomeration was observed for carboxylated PMMA at any salinity, whereas the plain PMMA agglomerated at only 1 g/L. Both the red and the blue polystyrene agglomerated at 25 g/L. Results indicate that both composition and surface chemistry can impact how environmental salinity affects plastic nanoparticle agglomeration. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1822-1828. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Topics: Ecotoxicology; Microplastics; Polystyrenes; Salinity; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 33661533
DOI: 10.1002/etc.5030 -
Chemosphere Jan 2021Polystyrene foam (expanded and extruded polystyrene: EPS and XPS, respectively) is a ubiquitous and pervasive type of marine plastic whose physical properties, transport...
Polystyrene foam (expanded and extruded polystyrene: EPS and XPS, respectively) is a ubiquitous and pervasive type of marine plastic whose physical properties, transport and fate are distinctly different to those of other common (unfoamed) types of thermoplastic litter. In this study, a range of fragments of EPS and XPS retrieved from three beaches in southwest England have been characterised by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry in order to examine the chemical makeup and potential biological and geochemical impacts and interactions of this type of plastic waste. Analyses performed through sample faces and, in some cases and after dissection, through the material core, revealed variable concentrations of Fe, Ti and Zn among the fragments and, in many instances, within the same sample. This likely reflects the presence of reaction residues and pigments arising from the manufacture of polystyrene, and, for Fe and Ti, significant and heterogeneous ion and mineral acquisition from the environment during transport in suspension or while beached. Acquired oxides of Fe are partly responsible for the chemical fouling observed on the face of most samples and are able to act as an adsorbent for other metals, like Pb. Detection of Br in many fragments up to concentrations of 11,500 mg kg likely results from the incorporation of the flame retardant, hexabromocyclododecane, in EPS and XPS designed for (but not necessarily limited to) the construction sector. These observations suggest that EPS and XPS can act as both a source and sink for contaminants in the marine environment that merit further investigation.
Topics: England; Environmental Monitoring; Flame Retardants; Plastics; Polystyrenes
PubMed: 33297085
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128087 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jul 2023Nanoplastics are an emerging environmental pollutant, having a potential risk to the terrestrial ecosystem. In the natural environment, almost all the micro-or...
Nanoplastics are an emerging environmental pollutant, having a potential risk to the terrestrial ecosystem. In the natural environment, almost all the micro-or nano-plastics will be aged by many factors and their characterizations of the surface will be modified. However, the toxicity and mechanism of the modified polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) to plant cells are not clear. In the study, the amino- and carboxyl-modified PS-NPs with different sizes (20 and 200 nm) were selected as the typical representatives to investigate their effects on protoplast cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the cell and the leakage of cell-inclusion and apoptosis. The results indicated that the 20 nm amino-modified PS-NPs (PS-20A) could significantly damage the structure of the cell, especially the cell membrane, chloroplast and mitochondrion. After being modified by amino group, smaller size nanoplastics had the potential to cause more severe damage. In addition, compared with carboxyl-modified PS-NPs, the amino-modified PS-NPs induced more ROS production and caused higher membrane permeability/lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. Apoptosis assay indicated that the proportion of viable cells in the PS-20A treatment decreased significantly, and the proportion of necrotic cells increased by four times. This study provides new insights into the toxicity and damage mechanism of PS-NPs to terrestrial vascular plants at the cellular level, and guides people to pay attention to the quality and safety of agricultural products caused by nanoplastics.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Polystyrenes; Triticum; Microplastics; Ecosystem; Reactive Oxygen Species; Protoplasts; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 37080310
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163560 -
The Science of the Total Environment May 2023Despite the increasing research on the fate of nanoplastics (NPs, <100 nm) in freshwater systems, little is known about the joint toxic effects of metal(loid)s and NPs...
Despite the increasing research on the fate of nanoplastics (NPs, <100 nm) in freshwater systems, little is known about the joint toxic effects of metal(loid)s and NPs modified with different functional groups on microalgae. Here, we explored the joint toxic effects of two types of polystyrene NPs [one modified with a sulfonic acid group (PSNPs-SOH), and one without this functional group (PSNPs)] and arsenic (As) on the microalgae Microcystis aeruginosa. The results highlighted that PSNPs-SOH showed a smaller hydrodynamic diameter and greater potential to adsorb positively charged ions than PSNPs, contributing to the more severe growth inhibition, while both of them produced oxidative stress. Metabolomics further revealed that the fatty acid metabolism of the microalgae was significantly up-regulated under both NPs exposure, while PSNPs-SOH down-regulated the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) of the microalgae. As uptake by algae was significantly reduced by 82.58 % and 59.65 % in the presence of 100 mg/L PSNPs and PSNPs-SOH, respectively. The independent action model showed that the joint toxicity of both NPs with As was assessed as antagonistic. In addition, PSNPs and PSNPs-SOH had dissimilar effects on the composition of the microalgae extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), resulting in different uptake and adsorption of As, thereby affecting the physiology and biochemistry of algae. Overall, our findings propose that the specific properties of NPs should be considered in future environmental risk assessments.
Topics: Polystyrenes; Microplastics; Microcystis; Arsenites
PubMed: 36863597
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162496 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Aug 2023Single-use plastics and food packaging are the most common items polluting the environment, commonly identified in surveys and litter monitoring campaigns. There are...
Single-use plastics and food packaging are the most common items polluting the environment, commonly identified in surveys and litter monitoring campaigns. There are pushes to ban these products from production and use in different regions, and to replace them with other materials viewed as "safer" or "more sustainable". Here, we address the potential environmental impacts of take-away cups and lids used for hot and cold beverages, consisting of plastic or paper. We produced leachates from plastic cups (polypropylene), lids (polystyrene), and paper cups (lined with polylactic acid), under conditions representative of plastic leaching in the environment. The packaging items were placed and left to leach in sediment and freshwater for up to four weeks, and we tested the toxicity of contaminated water and sediment separately. We used the model aquatic invertebrate Chironomus riparius and assessed multiple endpoints both on larval stages and on emergence to the adult phase. We observed a significant growth inhibition with all the materials tested when the larvae were exposed in contaminated sediment. Developmental delays were also observed for all materials, both in contaminated water and sediment. We investigated teratogenic effects via the analysis of mouthpart deformities in chironomid larvae, and observed significant effects on larvae exposed to polystyrene lid leachates (in sediment). Finally, a significant delay in time to emergence was observed for females exposed to paper cups leachates (in sediment). Overall, our results indicate that all the tested food packaging materials can have adverse effects on chironomids. These effects can be observed from one week of material leaching in environmental conditions, and tend to increase with increasing leaching time. Moreover, more effects were observed in contaminated sediment, indicating that benthic organisms might be especially at risk. This study highlights the risk posed by take-away packaging and their associated chemicals, once discarded into the environment.
Topics: Animals; Female; Plastics; Larva; Chironomidae; Polystyrenes; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water; Geologic Sediments
PubMed: 37201566
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121836 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Oct 2022The widespread use of plastics and the rapid development of nanotechnology bring convenience to our lives while also increasing the environmental burden and increasing...
The widespread use of plastics and the rapid development of nanotechnology bring convenience to our lives while also increasing the environmental burden and increasing the risk of exposure of organisms to nanoparticles (NPs). While recent studies have revealed an association between nanoparticles and liver injury, the intrinsic mechanism of NP exposure-induced liver damage remains to be explored. Here, we found that polystyrene nanoparticle (PSNP) exposure resulted in a significant increase in local neutrophil infiltration and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in the liver. Analysis of a coculture system of PBNs and AML12 cells revealed that PSNP-induced NET formation positively correlates with the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-NLRP3 axis. Inhibition of ROS and genetic and pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 in AML12 can both alleviate PSNP-induced NET formation. In turn, exposure of mice to deoxyribonuclease I (DNase Ⅰ)-coated PSNPs disassembled NET in vivo, neutrophil infiltration in the liver was reduced, the ROS-NLRP3 axis was inhibited, and the expression of cytokines was markedly decreased. Collectively, our work reveals a mechanism of NET formation in PSNP exposure-induced liver inflammation and highlights the possible role of DNase Ⅰ as a key enzyme in degrading NET and alleviating liver inflammation.
Topics: Animals; DNA; Deoxyribonuclease I; Extracellular Traps; Inflammation; Liver; Mice; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Nanoparticles; Neutrophils; Polystyrenes; Reactive Oxygen Species
PubMed: 35868089
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129502 -
BMC Veterinary Research Apr 2024Polystyrene nanoplastic (PS-NPs) and Engine oil (EO) pose multiple ecotoxic effects with increasing threat to fish ecosystems. The current study investigated the...
Polystyrene nanoplastic and engine oil synergistically intensify toxicity in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus : Polystyrene nanoplastic and engine oil toxicity in Nile tilapia.
Polystyrene nanoplastic (PS-NPs) and Engine oil (EO) pose multiple ecotoxic effects with increasing threat to fish ecosystems. The current study investigated the toxicity of 15 days exposure to PS-NPs and / or EO to explore their combined synergistic effects on Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus). Hematobiochemical parameters, proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress biomarkers as well as histological alterations were evaluated. The experimental design contained 120 acclimated Nile tilapia distributed into four groups, control, PS-NPs (5 mg/L), EO (1%) and their combination (PS-NPs + EO). After 15-days of exposure, blood and tissue samples were collected from all fish experimental groups. Results indicated that Nile tilapia exposed to PS-NPs and / or EO revealed a significant decrease in almost all the measured hematological parameters in comparison to the control, whereas WBCs and lymphocyte counts were significantly increased in the combined group only. Results clarified that the combined PS-NPs + EO group showed the maximum decrease in RBCs, Hb, MCH and MCHC, and showed the maximum significant rise in interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in comparison to all other exposed groups. Meanwhile, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) showed a significant (p < 0.05) decline only in the combination group, whereas reduced glutathione (GSH) showed a significant decline in all exposed groups in comparison to the control. Both malondialdehyde (MDA) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) showed a significant elevation only in the combination group. Uric acid showed the maximum elevation in the combination group than all other groups, whereas creatinine showed significant elevation in the EO and combination group when compared to the control. Furthermore, the present experiment proved that exposure to these toxicants either individually or in combination is accompanied by pronounced histomorpholgical damage characterized by severe necrosis and hemorrhage of the vital organs of Nile tilapia, additionally extensively inflammatory conditions with leucocytes infiltration. We concluded that combination exposure to both PS-NPs and EO caused severe anemia, extreme inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation effects, thus they can synergize with each other to intensify toxicity in fish.
Topics: Animals; Microplastics; Polystyrenes; Cichlids; Ecosystem; Liver; Antioxidants; Oxidative Stress; Interleukin-6
PubMed: 38622626
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03987-z