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Baek SH, Lee CH, Park JS, Yoon JN, Lim YK. Temporal changes in microalgal biomass and species composition on different plastic polymers in nutrient-enriched microcosm experiments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174352. [PMID: 38969108 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174352] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Marine plastic debris (MPD) is a potential threat to marine ecosystems, but its function as a vector for the transportation of harmful microalgae and its impact on the habitats of other marine organisms are uncertain. To address this gap in knowledge, we performed month-long experiments in 30 L microcosms that contained plates made of six different plastic polymers (polypropylene [PP], low-density polyethylene [LDPE], high-density polyethylene [HDPE], polyvinyl chloride [PVC], polyethylene terephthalate [PET], and polystyrene [PS]), and examined the time course of changes in planktonic and periphytic microalgae. There were no significant differences in the composition of periphytic microalgae or biomass among the different plastic polymers (p > 0.05). Nutrient depletion decreased the abundance of planktonic microalgae, but increased the biomass of attached periphytic microalgae (p < 0.05). In particular, analysis of the plastic plates showed that the abundance of benthic species that are responsible for harmful algal blooms (HABs), such as Amphidinium operculatum and Coolia monotis, significantly increased over time (days 21-28; p < 0.05). Our findings demonstrated that periphyton species, including benthic microalgae that cause HABs, can easily attach to different types of plastic and potentially spread to different regions and negatively impact these ecosystems. These observations have important implications for understanding the potential role of MPD in the spread of microalgae, including HABs, which pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Ho Baek
- Ecological Risk Research Department, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Chung Hyeon Lee
- Ecological Risk Research Department, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea.
| | - Joon Sang Park
- Library of Marine Samples, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Nam Yoon
- Strategy and Planning Office, Geosystem Research Corporation, Gunpo 15807, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kyun Lim
- Ecological Risk Research Department, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea.
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Huang HJ, Liu Y, Wang X, Huang L, Li DW, Li HY, Yang WD. Polystyrene microplastics exacerbated the toxicity of okadaic acid to the small intestine in mice. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 281:116628. [PMID: 38905936 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116628] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and okadaic acid (OA) are known to coexist in marine organisms, potentially impacting humans through food chain. However, the combined toxicity of OA and MPs remains unknown. In this study, mice were orally administered OA at 200 μg/kg bw and MPs at 2 mg/kg bw. The co-exposure group showed a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and significant decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) level compared to the control, MPs and OA groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, the co-exposure group exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-1β and IL-18 compared to other groups (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that co-exposure to MPs and OA induces oxidative stress and exacerbates inflammation. Histological and cellular ultrastructure analyses suggested that this combined exposure may enhance gut damage and compromise barrier integrity. Consequently, the concentration of OA in the small intestine of the co-exposure group was significantly higher than that in the OA group. Furthermore, MPs were observed in the lamina propria of the gut in the co-exposure group. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the co-exposure led to increased expression of certain genes related to the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway compared to the OA and MPs groups. Overall, this combined exposure may disrupt the intestinal barrier, and promote inflammation through the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. These findings provide precious information for the understanding of health risks associated with MPs and phycotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Jia Huang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lu Huang
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Da-Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Hong-Ye Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Wei-Dong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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Xu SY, Mo YH, Liu YJ, Wang X, Li HY, Yang WD. Physiological and genetic responses of the benthic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum lima to polystyrene microplastics. HARMFUL ALGAE 2024; 136:102652. [PMID: 38876530 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2024.102652] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics are well known as contaminants in marine environments. With the development of biofilms, most microplastics will eventually sink and deposit in benthic environment. However, little research has been done on benthic toxic dinoflagellates, and the effects of microplastics on benthic dinoflagellates are unknown. Prorocentrum lima is a cosmopolitan toxic benthic dinoflagellate, which can produce a range of polyether metabolites, such as diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins. In order to explore the impact of microplastics on marine benthic dinoflagellates, in this paper, we studied the effects of polystyrene (PS) on the growth and toxin production of P. lima. The molecular response of P. lima to microplastic stress was analyzed by transcriptomics. We selected 100 nm, 10 μm and 100 μm PS, and set three concentrations of 1 mg L-1, 10 mg L-1 and 100 mg L-1. The results showed that PS exposure had limited effects on cell growth, but increased the OA and extracellular polysaccharide content at high concentrations. After exposure to PS MPs, genes associated with DSP toxins synthesis, carbohydrate synthesis and energy metabolism, such as glycolysis, TCA cycle and pyruvate metabolism, were significantly up-regulated. We speculated that after exposure to microplastics, P. lima may increase the synthesis of DSP toxins and extracellular polysaccharides, improve the level of energy metabolism and gene expression of ABC transporter, thereby protecting algal cells from damage. Our findings provide new insights into the effects of microplastics on toxic benthic dinoflagellates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Yan-Hang Mo
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Yu-Jie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Hong-Ye Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Wei-Dong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China.
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Ren X, Mao M, Feng M, Peng T, Long X, Yang F. Fate, abundance and ecological risks of microcystins in aquatic environment: The implication of microplastics. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 251:121121. [PMID: 38277829 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121121] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Microcystins are highly toxic cyanotoxins and have been produced worldwide with the global expansion of harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HABs), posing serious threats to human health and ecosystem safety. Yet little knowledge is available on the underlying process occurring in the aquatic environment with microcystins. Microplastics as vectors for pollutants has received growing attention and are widely found co-existing with microcystins. On the one hand, microplastics could react with microcystins by adsorption, altering their environmental behavior and ecological risks. On the other hand, particular attention should be given to microplastics due to their implications on the outbreak of HABs and the generation and release of microcystins. However, limited reviews have been undertaken to link the co-existing microcystins and microplastics in natural water. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding on the environmental relevance of microcystins and microplastics and their potential interactions, with particular emphasis on the adsorption, transport, sources, ecotoxicity and environmental transformation of microcystins affected by microplastics. In addition, current knowledge gaps and future research directions on the microcystins and microplastics are presented. Overall, this review will provide novel insights into the ecological risk of microcystins associated with microplastics in real water environment and lay foundation for the effective management of HABs and microplastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Ren
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Meiyi Mao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Mengqi Feng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Tangjian Peng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Xizi Long
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiang Ya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
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Fang C, Zheng R, Hong F, Chen S, Chen G, Zhang M, Gao F, Chen J, Bo J. First evidence of meso- and microplastics on the mangrove leaves ingested by herbivorous snails and induced transcriptional responses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 865:161240. [PMID: 36587672 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although evidence suggests the ubiquity of meso- and microplastics (MMPs) in mangrove forests, our knowledge of their bioavailability and risk on mangrove leaves is scarce. Here, we investigated MMP contamination concerning submerged mangrove leaves and herbivorous snails that mainly feed on them from the four mangrove forests located in Beibu Gulf, Guangxi Province, China. Results showed that the MMP abundance on the mangrove leaves ranged from 0.01 ± 0.00 to 0.42 ± 0.15 items cm-2, while it ranged from 0.33 ± 0.21 to 6.20 ± 2.91 items individual-1 in the snails. There were significant positive correlations between snails and leaves regarding the abundance of total MMPs and the proportions of MMPs with the same characteristics. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) that mainly derived from aquaculture rafts, accounted for a major component both on the leaves and in the snails in Shi Jiao (SJ). Both the detection frequency and percentage of larger EPS (2.00-17.50 mm) on the leaves in SJ were higher than other sites. Meanwhile, the detection frequency, abundance and percentage of larger EPS on the leaves had significant positive correlations with those of micro-EPS in the snails. These findings suggested that mangrove leaves may represent a viable pathway for MMPs to enter the herbivorous snails. Larger EPS with higher frequency of occurrence on mangrove leaves were more likely to be encountered and ingested by snail considering its opportunistic feeding behavior. In addition, 11 sensitive genes involved in the processes of metabolism, intestinal mucosal immune systems, and cellular transduction in the snails were significantly suppressed by MMP exposure, which may be potentially used as early biomarkers to indicate the biological effects of MMPs under realistic environmental conditions. Overall, this study provides novel insights into the fate, sources, and biological effects of MMPs on mangrove leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Fang
- Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; Observation and Research Station of Coastal Wetland Ecosystem in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536015, China
| | - Ronghui Zheng
- Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Fukun Hong
- Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Shunyang Chen
- Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; Observation and Research Station of Coastal Wetland Ecosystem in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536015, China
| | - Guangcheng Chen
- Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; Observation and Research Station of Coastal Wetland Ecosystem in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536015, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Fulong Gao
- Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jincan Chen
- Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jun Bo
- Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China.
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