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Bacchetta R, Pica A, Santo N, Tremolada P, Sugni M. Comparative effects of polyvinyl chloride microplastics on the brittle star Ophiactis virens and the amphibian Xenopus laevis. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 272:106975. [PMID: 38824744 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effects of PVC microplastics (PVC-MPs) using two different animal models: the brittle star Ophiactis virens, and the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. This is the first study using an environmental relevant sample of PVC-MPs obtained through mechanical fragmentation of a common PVC plumbing pipe. Exposure experiments on brittle star were performed on the adult stage for a duration of 14 days, while those on African clawed frog were performed on the embryogenic developmental stage according to the standardized FETAX protocol (Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus). For both models, different endpoints were analysed: mortality, developmental parameters, behavioural assays and histological analyses on target organs by optical and electronic microscopy. Results showed that the concentration of 0.1 μg mL-1 PVC do not cause any adverse effects in both models (common NOEC concentration), while exposure to 1 μg mL-1 PVC adversely affected at least one species (common LOEC concentration). In particular arm regeneration efficiency was the most affected parameters in O. virens leading to a significantly lower differentiation pattern at 1 μg mL-1 PVC. On the contrary, in X. laevis larvae histopathological analyses and behavioural tests were the most susceptible endpoints, exhibiting several abnormal figures and different swimming speed at 10 μg mL-1 PVC. Histopathological analyses revealed a higher abundance of degenerating cells, pyknotic nuclei and cellular debris in the gut of exposed larvae in respect to control. The comparative analyses performed in this work allowed to characterize the specificity of action of the PVC-MPs on the two species, underlining the importance of exploring a large spectrum of endpoints to offer adequate protection in the emerging fields of microplastic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Bacchetta
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Arianna Pica
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Nadia Santo
- Unitech NOLIMITS, Imaging Facility, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi, 19, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Tremolada
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Michela Sugni
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
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Salla RF, Oliveira FN, Jacintho JC, Cirqueira F, Tsukada E, Vieira LG, Rocha TL. Microplastics and TiO 2 nanoparticles mixture as an emerging threat to amphibians: A case study on bullfrog embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123624. [PMID: 38387544 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants can act as contributing factors to the decline of amphibian populations worldwide. Recently, scientists have drawn attention to the potential ecotoxicity of microplastics and nanomaterials in amphibians, however, their possible effects on embryonic developmental stages are still absent. Thus, the present study analyzed the developmental toxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs; 60 mg/L) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs; 10 μg/L), isolated or in combination (Mix group) on bullfrog embryos, Aquarana catesbeiana, adapting the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay (FETAX, 96h). Allied to the FETAX protocol, we also analyzed the heart rate and morphometric data. The exposure reduced the survival and hatching rates in groups exposed to TiO2 NPs, and to a lesser extent, also affected the Mix group. TiO2 NPs possibly interacted with the hatching enzymes of the embryos, preventing hatching, and reducing their survival. The reduced effects in the Mix group are due to the agglomeration of both toxicants, making the NPs less available for the embryos. PE MPs got attached to the gelatinous capsule of the chorion (confirmed by fluorescence microscopy), which protected the embryos from eventual direct effects of the microplastics on the hatching and survival rates. Although there were no cardiotoxic effects nor morphometric alterations, there was a significant increase in abdominal edemas in the hatched embryos of the PE MPs group, which indicates that osmoregulation might have been affected by the attachment of the microplastics on the embryos' gelatinous capsule. This study presents the first evidence of developmental toxicity of environmental mixtures of microplastics and nanoparticles on amphibians and reinforces the need for more studies with other amphibian species, especially neotropical specimens that could present bigger sensibility. Our study also highlighted several features of the FETAX protocol as useful tools to evaluate the embryotoxicity of several pollutants on amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Fernanda Salla
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil; Post-graduation Program of Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Campus Sorocaba, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fagner Neves Oliveira
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil; Laboratory for Research in Morphology and Ontogeny, Institute for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline C Jacintho
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Felipe Cirqueira
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Elisabete Tsukada
- Post-graduation Program of Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Campus Sorocaba, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucélia Gonçalves Vieira
- Laboratory for Research in Morphology and Ontogeny, Institute for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Thiago Lopes Rocha
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil.
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Burger M, Bouwman H, du Preez LH, Landman W. Larger Common River Frogs (Amietia delalandii) have Fewer and Shorter Tissue Microplastic Fibres than Smaller Frogs. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 112:29. [PMID: 38281207 PMCID: PMC10822785 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-024-03852-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Little is known about microplastics (MPs) in adult frogs. We investigated MPs in adult Common River Frogs (Amietia delalandii) from Potchefstroom, South Africa. Five kinds of samples were analysed: natural water, water used to rinse the skin, skin, intestine, and the remainder of the body (corpus). Tissues were digested. Microplastics occurred in all frogs and sample types (1128 MPs counted). Fibres were the most prevalent MP. Fibre lengths were between 28 and 4300 μm, either polyester or polyvinyl alcohol. MPs in skin were likely derived from the ambient, and MPs in the corpus from translocation via the skin. Fibres in tissues were significantly shorter in larger frogs, a phenomenon we provisionally assign to in situ biodegradation. Microplastics in frogs can potentially be transferred through the food web to higher trophic levels. This study provides the first evidence of MPs in adult frog tissues and avenues for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Burger
- Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Hindrik Bouwman
- Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
| | - Louis H du Preez
- Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Herpetology, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Willie Landman
- Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Ruthsatz K, Schwarz A, Gomez-Mestre I, Meyer R, Domscheit M, Bartels F, Schaeffer SM, Engelkes K. Life in plastic, it's not fantastic: Sublethal effects of polyethylene microplastics ingestion throughout amphibian metamorphosis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 885:163779. [PMID: 37146798 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) are an abundant, long-lasting, and widespread type of environmental pollution that is of increasing concern as it might pose a serious threat to ecosystems and species. However, these threats are still largely unknown for amphibians. Here, we used the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) as a model species to investigate whether polyethylene MP ingestion affects amphibian growth and development and leads to metabolic changes across two consecutive life stages (larvae and juveniles). Furthermore, we examined whether MP effects were more pronounced at higher rearing temperatures. Larval growth, development, and body condition were recorded, and standard metabolic rate (SMR) and levels of stress hormone (corticosterone, CORT) were measured. We determined variation in size, morphology, and hepatosomatic index in juveniles to identify any potential consequences of MP ingestion across metamorphosis. In both life stages, MP accumulation in the body was assessed. MP ingestion was found to result in sublethal effects on larval growth, development, and metabolism, to lead to allometric carry-over effects on juvenile morphology, and to accumulate in the specimens at both life stages. In larvae, SMR and developmental rate increased in response to MP ingestion; there additionally was a significant interaction of MP ingestion and temperature on development. CORT levels were higher in larvae that ingested MP, except at higher temperature. In juveniles, body was wider, and extremities were longer in animals exposed to MP during the larval stage; a high rearing temperature in combination with MP ingestion counteracted this effect. Our results provide first insights into the effects of MP on amphibians throughout metamorphosis and demonstrate that juvenile amphibians may act as a pathway for MP from freshwater to terrestrial environments. To allow for generalizations across amphibian species, future experiments need to consider the field prevalence and abundance of different MP in amphibians at various life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Ruthsatz
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Anja Schwarz
- Institute of Geosystems and Bioindication, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Langer Kamp 19c, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ivan Gomez-Mestre
- Ecology, Evolution, and Development Group, Department Ecology and Evolution, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Ruth Meyer
- Institute of Geosystems and Bioindication, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Langer Kamp 19c, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marie Domscheit
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Fabian Bartels
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sarah-Maria Schaeffer
- Institute of Geosystems and Bioindication, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Langer Kamp 19c, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Karolin Engelkes
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany; Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
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Zhang Q, Lv Y, Liu J, Chang L, Chen Q, Zhu L, Wang B, Jiang J, Zhu W. Size matters either way: Differently-sized microplastics affect amphibian host and symbiotic microbiota discriminately. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 328:121634. [PMID: 37054867 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about the implications of microplastics (MPs) on aqueous animals have gained widespread attention. It has been postulated that the magnitude of MPs can influence its toxicity. However, little is known about how MPs toxicity changes with particle size. Amphibians are reliable bioindicators of ecosystem health due to their complex life cycles. In this study, we compared the influences of two sizes nonfunctionalized polystyrene microspheres (1 and 10 μm) on the metamorphosis of Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans). Acute exposure to MPs at high concentrations led to bioaccumulation in the digestive track and internal organs (i.e., liver and heart) of tadpoles. Long-term exposure to either size, at environmentally-related concentrations (1 and 4550 p/mL), led to growth and development delay in pro-metamorphic tadpoles. Remarkably, developmental plasticity mitigated these deleterious effects prior to the onset of metamorphic climax without compromising survival rate in later stages. MPs with a diameter of 10 μm dramatically altered the gut microbiota (e.g., abundance of Catabacter and Desulfovibrio) of pro-metamorphic tadpoles, whereas MPs with a diameter of 1 μm induced much more intensive transcriptional responses in the host tissues (e.g., upregulation of protein synthesis and mitochondrial energy metabolism, and downregulation of neural functions and cellular responses). Given that the two MPs sizes induced similar toxic outcomes, this suggests that their principal toxicity mechanisms are distinct. Small-sized MPs can travel easily across the intestinal mucosa and cause direct toxicity, while large-sized MPs accumulate in gut and affect the host by changing the homeostasis of digestive track. In conclusion, our findings indicate that MPs can affect the growth and development of amphibian larvae, but their developmental plasticity determines the ultimate detrimental effects. Multiple pathways of toxicity may contribute to the size-dependent toxicity of MPs. We anticipate that these findings will increase our understanding of the ecological effects of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunde Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chengdu, 610041, China; College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yan Lv
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Jiongyu Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Liming Chang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Qiheng Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Lifeng Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Bin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Jianping Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Wei Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Scribano G, Gazzola A, Winkler A, Balestrieri A, Grioni A, Lastrico G, Tremolada P, Pellitteri-Rosa D. Anti-predator behavioral responses of Italian agile frog tadpoles (Rana latastei) exposed to microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:13688-13696. [PMID: 36136197 PMCID: PMC9898332 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23131-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are nowadays abundant, persistent, and ubiquitous in the environment, representing a new threat for terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems. Although anuran populations and species are globally declining, the effect of MP exposure on this taxon has been poorly investigated. With the aim of assessing the effects of microplastic exposure on the defensive responses of Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) tadpoles, we exposed them to three different concentrations (1, 7, and 50 mg L-1) of a mixture of plastic polymers (HPDE, PVC, PS, and PES) for 2 weeks. Then, we measured the total distance covered by individual tadpoles before and after exposure to tadpole-fed dragonfly larvae (Aeshna cyanea) cues. As expected, predation risk sharply lowered the total distance travelled by tadpoles; however, MP concentration did not affect their defensive performances. We also collected data on tadpole development, activity, and mortality. In contrast with previous experiments, neither tadpole growth nor mortality varied with MP concentration. Our results indicate that the intensity of MP effects on growth and development may depend on tadpole size, with large tadpoles being less susceptible to the negative effects of MP exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Scribano
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, I-27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Gazzola
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, I-27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Winkler
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, I-20133, Via Celoria, 26, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Balestrieri
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, I-27100, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, I-20133, Via Celoria, 26, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Grioni
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, I-27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuditta Lastrico
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, I-20133, Via Celoria, 26, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Tremolada
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, I-20133, Via Celoria, 26, Milan, Italy.
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Burgos-Aceves MA, Faggio C, Betancourt-Lozano M, González-Mille DJ, Ilizaliturri-Hernández CA. Ecotoxicological perspectives of microplastic pollution in amphibians. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2022; 25:405-421. [PMID: 36351281 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2022.2140372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are contaminants widely distributed in the environment and biota. Previously, most studies focused on identifying and characterizing microplastics in the marine environment, while their impact on freshwater ecosystems remains to be determined. This review summarizes recent findings regarding MPs physiological, immunological, and genetic effects on amphibians based upon the biological relevance of this species as indicators of freshwater pollution. Data demonstrated that MPs contamination may potentially alter various physiological processes in aquatic animals, mainly in the embryonic stages. It is worthwhile noting that adverse effects might be enhanced in synergy with other pollutants. However, amphibians might counteract the effect of MPs and other pollutants through microbiota present both in the intestine and on the skin. In addition, amphibian microbial composition might also be altered by MPs themselves in a manner that leads to unpredicted health consequences in amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario A Burgos-Aceves
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada en Ambiente y Salud (CIAAS), CIACyT, Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Caterina Faggio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Donají J González-Mille
- Programa Cátedras del Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT). Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - César A Ilizaliturri-Hernández
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada en Ambiente y Salud (CIAAS), CIACyT, Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
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