Trophic transfer of nanoplastics and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in a freshwater food chain (Chlorella Pyrenoidosa-Daphnia magna-Micropterus salmoides) induced disturbance of lipid metabolism in fish

Fast and reliable determination of phthalic acid esters in soil and lettuce samples based on QuEChERS GC-MS/MS

Phthalates are commonly used as plasticizers, and solvents in industry and households. We propose an application of the QuEChERS method for the determination of six PAEs in the soil and lettuce (roots and leaves) by GC-MS/MS. The QuEChERS method validation procedure was performed and good linearity (>0.997), recovery (97.2-99.1 %), very low detection limits (0.09-0.43 ng/g), and satisfactory inter- and intraday precision (∼4%) were obtained confirming that QuEChERS GC-MS/MS applied for PAEs determination in the environmental samples is a cheap and environmentally friendly method. In general, the higher the number of carbon atoms in PAEs, the higher the percentage noted in the lettuce roots. At higher PAEs concentration (60 ng/g) the main bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) sink were roots whereas at lower concentrations (30 ng/g) most of DEHP was noted in lettuce leaves implying that the fate of PAEs was governed not by the chemical structure of PAEs but rather partitioning (logKow).

Effect of microplastics on oxytetracycline trophic transfer: Immune, gut microbiota and antibiotic resistance gene responses

Microplastics and antibiotics are prevalent and emerging pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, but their interactions in aquatic food chains remain largely unexplored. This study investigated the impact of polypropylene microplastics (PP-MPs) on oxytetracycline (OTC) trophic transfer from the shrimp (Neocaridina denticulate) to crucian carp (Carassius auratus) by metagenomic sequencing. The carrier effects of PP-MPs promoted OTC bioaccumulation and trophic transfer, which exacerbated enterocyte vacuolation and hepatocyte eosinophilic necrosis. PP-MPs enhanced the inhibitory effect of OTC on intestinal lysozyme activities and complement C3 levels in shrimp and fish, and hepatic immunoglobulin M levels in fish (p < 0.05). Co-exposure of MPs and OTC markedly increased the abundance of Actinobacteria in shrimp and Firmicutes in fish, which caused disturbances in carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism. Moreover, OTC exacerbated the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic animals, and PP-MPs significantly increased the diversity and abundance of ARGs and facilitated the trophic transfer of teta and tetm. Our findings disclosed the impacts of PP-MPs on the mechanism of antibiotic toxicity in aquatic food chains and emphasized the importance of gut microbiota for ARGs trophic transfer, which contributed to a deeper understanding of potential risks posed by complex pollutants on aquatic ecosystems.

Polystyrene microplastics alter the trophic transfer and biotoxicity of fluoxetine in an aquatic food chain

Microplastics (MPs) and fluoxetine are ubiquitous emerging pollutants in aquatic environments that may interact with each other due to the carrier effects of MPs, posing unpredictable risks to non-target organisms. However, limited studies have focused on the carrier effects of MPs in the aquatic food chain. This study evaluated the influences of polystyrene MPs on the trophic transfer and biotoxicity of fluoxetine in a simple food chain composed of brine shrimp (Artemia nauplii) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). The finding reveals that carrier effects of MPs enhanced the accumulation of waterborne fluoxetine in brine shrimp, but suppressed that in zebrafish due to the distinct retention times. The accumulated fluoxetine in shrimp was further transferred to fish through the food chain, which was alleviated by MPs due to their cleaning effects. In addition, the specific neurotransmission biotoxicity in fish induced by fluoxetine was mitigated by MPs, whilst the oxidative damage, apoptosis, and immune responses in zebrafish were reversely enhanced by MPs due to the stimulating effect. These findings highlight the alleviating effects of MPs on the trophic transfer and specific biotoxicity of fluoxetine in the food chain, providing new insights into the carrier effects of MPs in aquatic environments in the context of increasing global MP pollution.

Photoaged polystyrene nanoplastics exposure results in reproductive toxicity due to oxidative damage in Caenorhabditis elegans

The increase of plastic production together with the incipient reuse/recycling system has resulted in massive discards into the environment. This has facilitated the formation of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) which poses major risk for environmental health. Although some studies have investigated the effects of pristine MNPs on reproductive health, the effects of weathered MNPs have been poorly investigated. Here we show in Caenorhabditis elegans that exposure to photoaged polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNP-UV) results in worse reproductive performance than pristine PSNP (i.e., embryonic/larval lethality plus a decrease in the brood size, accompanied by a high number of unfertilized eggs), besides it affects size and locomotion behavior. Those effects were potentially generated by reactive products formed during UV-irradiation, since we found higher levels of reactive oxygen species and increased expression of GST-4 in worms exposed to PSNP-UV. Those results are supported by physical-chemical characterization analyses which indicate significant formation of oxidative degradation products from PSNP under UV-C irradiation. Our study also demonstrates that PSNP accumulate predominantly in the gastrointestinal tract of C. elegans (with no accumulation in the gonads), being completely eliminated at 96 h post-exposure. We complemented the toxicological analysis of PSNP/PSNP-UV by showing that the activation of the stress response via DAF-16 is dependent of the nanoplastics accumulation. Our data suggest that exposure to the wild PSNP, i.e., polystyrene nanoplastics more similar to those actually found in the environment, results in more important reprotoxic effects. This is associated with the presence of degradation products formed during UV-C irradiation and their interaction with biological targets.

Trophic transfer and interfacial impacts of micro(nano)plastics and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment

Both micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) possessed excellent properties and diverse applications, albeit gained worldwide attention due to their anthropogenic, ubiquitous, degradation resistant nature and a wide variety of ecological and human health impacts. MNPs and PFAS discharged from discrete sources and extensively bioaccumulated in the food chain through trophic transfer and their long-distance transport potential assist in their dispersal to pristine but vulnerable ecosystems such as Antarctica. They inevitably interacted with each other in the environment through polarized N-H bond, hydrogen bond, hydrophobic interaction, and weak bond energies such as Van der Waals, electrostatic, and intramolecular forces. During co-exposure, they significantly impact the uptake and bioaccumulation of each other in exposed organisms, which may increase or decrease their bioavailable concentration. Hence, this review compiles the studies on the co-occurrence and adsorption of PFAS and MNPs in the environment, their trophic transfer, combined in vivo and in vitro impacts, and factors influencing the MNP-PFAS interface. A significant proportion of studies were conducted in China, Europe, and the US, while studies are rare from other parts of the world. Freshwater and marine food chains were more prominently investigated for trophic transfers compared to terrestrial food chains. The most notable in vivo effects were growth and reproductive impairment, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity and apoptosis, DNA damage, genotoxicity and immunological responses, behavioral and gut microbiota modifications, and histopathological alterations. Cellular uptake of PFAS and MNPs can impact cell survival and proliferation, photosynthesis and membrane integrity, ROS generation and antioxidant responses, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) release in vitro. MNP characteristics, PFAS properties, tissue and species-dependent distribution, and environmental medium properties were the main factors influencing the PFAS and MNP nexus and associated impacts. Last but not least, gaps and future research directions were highlighted to better understand the interplay between these critical persistent chemicals.

The invisible Threat: Assessing the reproductive and transgenerational impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on fish

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), emerging as pervasive environmental pollutants, present multifaceted threats to diverse ecosystems. This review critically examines the ability of MNPs to traverse biological barriers in fish, leading to their accumulation in gonadal tissues and subsequent reproductive toxicity. A focal concern is the potential transgenerational harm, where offspring not directly exposed to MNPs exhibit toxic effects. Characterized by extensive specific surface areas and marked surface hydrophobicity, MNPs readily adsorb and concentrate other environmental contaminants, potentially intensifying reproductive and transgenerational toxicity. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide profound insights into the repercussions of MNPs on fish reproductive health and progeny, highlighting the intricate interplay between MNPs and other pollutants. We delve into the mechanisms of MNPs-induced reproductive toxicity, including gonadal histopathologic alterations, oxidative stress, and disruptions in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The review also underscores the urgency for future research to explore the size-specific toxic dynamics of MNPs and the long-term implications of chronic exposure. Understanding these aspects is crucial for assessing the ecological risks posed by MNPs and formulating strategies to safeguard aquatic life.