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Li H, Liu H, Bi L, Liu Y, Jin L, Peng R. Immunotoxicity of microplastics in fish. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 150:109619. [PMID: 38735599 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109619] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Plastic waste degrades slowly in aquatic environments, transforming into microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), which are subsequently ingested by fish and other aquatic organisms, causing both physical blockages and chemical toxicity. The fish immune system serves as a crucial defense against viruses and pollutants present in water. It is imperative to comprehend the detrimental effects of MPs on the fish immune system and conduct further research on immunological assessments. In this paper, the immune response and immunotoxicity of MPs and its combination with environmental pollutants on fish were reviewed. MPs not only inflict physical harm on the natural defense barriers like fish gills and vital immune organs such as the liver and intestinal tract but also penetrate cells, disrupting intracellular signaling pathways, altering the levels of immune cytokines and gene expression, perturbing immune homeostasis, and ultimately compromising specific immunity. Initially, fish exposed to MPs recruit a significant number of macrophages and T cells while activating lysosomes. Over time, this exposure leads to apoptosis of immune cells, a decline in lysosomal degradation capacity, lysosomal activity, and complement levels. MPs possess a small specific surface area and can efficiently bind with heavy metals, organic pollutants, and viruses, enhancing immune responses. Hence, there is a need for comprehensive studies on the shape, size, additives released from MPs, along with their immunotoxic effects and mechanisms in conjunction with other pollutants and viruses. These studies aim to solidify existing knowledge and delineate future research directions concerning the immunotoxicity of MPs on fish, which has implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqi Li
- Affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Huanpeng Liu
- Affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Liuliu Bi
- Affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Yinai Liu
- Affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Libo Jin
- Affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Renyi Peng
- Affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
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Santonicola S, Volgare M, Schiano ME, Cocca M, Colavita G. A study on textile microfiber contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts of Merluccius merluccius samples from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Ital J Food Saf 2024; 13:12216. [PMID: 38807742 PMCID: PMC11128977 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2024.12216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The increased demand and consumption of synthetic textiles have contributed to microplastic pollution in the form of microfibers. These particles are widely spread in the aquatic environment, leading to the exposure of marine biota, including edible species. The current study aimed to assess the extent of microfiber contamination in a commercially relevant fish species, Merluccius merluccius, which is considered a small-scale bioindicator for the monitoring of plastic ingestion in the Mediterranean coastal environment. The frequency of ingestion, abundance, and composition of textile microfibers isolated from the fish gut were characterized. Results showed the occurrence of microfibers in 75% of the samples, with a mean number of 10.6 microfibers/individual, of which 70% were classified as natural microfibers. The spectroscopic analyses confirmed both the visual identification of microfibers and the prevalence of cellulosic fibers. The obtained findings provided evidence of both natural/artificial and synthetic microfiber exposure in an important commercial fish species that, considering the consumption of small individuals without being eviscerated, may be a potential route of microfiber exposure in humans. Monitoring programs for fishery products from markets are needed to assess contamination levels and human health risks. In addition, measures to control microfiber pollution need to occur at multiple levels, from textile industries to international governments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Santonicola
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso
- Institute of Polymer, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli
| | - Michela Volgare
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials, and Industrial Production, University of Naples Federico II
| | - Marica Erminia Schiano
- Institute of Polymer, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Mariacristina Cocca
- Institute of Polymer, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli
| | - Giampaolo Colavita
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso
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Bonerba E, Shehu F, Pandiscia A, Lorusso P, Manfredi A, Huter A, Tantillo GM, Panseri S, Nobile M, Terio V. The EU Interreg Project "ADRINET": Assessment of Well-Known and Emerging Pollutants in Seafood and Their Potential Effects for Food Safety. Foods 2024; 13:1235. [PMID: 38672907 PMCID: PMC11048948 DOI: 10.3390/foods13081235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities lead to the spread of chemicals and biological materials, including plastic waste, toxic metals, and pharmaceuticals, of which the impact on the Mediterranean Sea is of high concern. In this context, the EU Interreg Italy-Albania-Montenegro Project "ADRINET (Adriatic Network for Marine Ecosystem) _244" (2018-2020) arises. It aims to carry out biomonitoring campaigns in the main commercial interest of fish and cephalopod species, such as Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax, Sepia spp., and Loligo spp. sampled in three different subregions of the Mediterranean Sea. The presence of the main environmental contaminants, such as cadmium, microplastics, and antibiotics was investigated in these seafood samples. Contamination by cadmium and antibiotics in the seafood investigated in our study was negligible. However, a high value of microplastics was detected in the stomach and gut of Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax. Overall, even though the presence of microplastics needs to be investigated by further studies, the results confirmed that the environmental conditions of the three bays investigated by the ADRINET project partners (Italy, Albania, Montenegro) are positive and not affected by intensive anthropogenic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Bonerba
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (E.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Fatmira Shehu
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Tirana, 1025 Tirana, Albania;
| | - Annamaria Pandiscia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (E.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Patrizio Lorusso
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (E.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Alessio Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (E.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Aleksandra Huter
- Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, 85330 Kotor, Montenegro;
| | - Giuseppina M. Tantillo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Place Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Sara Panseri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (S.P.); (M.N.)
| | - Maria Nobile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (S.P.); (M.N.)
| | - Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (E.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.); (V.T.)
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Bošković N, Jaćimović Ž, Bajt O. Microplastic pollution in rivers of the Adriatic Sea basin in Montenegro: Impact on pollution of the Montenegrin coastline. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167206. [PMID: 37730057 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Concern regarding microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic ecosystems has increased in recent years with growing awareness of the environmental harm that it causes. While most studies have focused on seas and oceans, knowledge of MP occurrence in freshwater sediments is limited. This study investigated MP concentrations at shore sediments of the Zeta, Morača, and Bojana rivers in Montenegro. The MP concentration in the studied samples varied depending on the river, location, and sampling season. MP abundance in river shore sediments varied between mean values of 145 ± 110 MPs/kg for the Zeta, 169 ± 113 MPs/kg for the Morača, and 180 ± 53.5 MPs/kg dry sediment for the Bojana. In comparison, the mean MP abundance in the three rivers combined was 163.6 ± 96.1 MPs/kg of dry sediment. The identified MPs were mainly fibres and fragments of blue, red and clear color, 0.5-1 mm in size, and mainly composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide and polyethylene terephthalate. The main contribution of this study is that it provides new insight into MP abundance in freshwater sediments of rivers, where the studied rivers were identified as a potential important sink and source of MP on the Montenegrin coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Bošković
- Centre for Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Montenegro, Cetinjski put b.b. 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro.
| | - Željko Jaćimović
- Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology, University of Montenegro, Cetinjski put b.b. 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Oliver Bajt
- National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia; Faculty of maritime studies and Transport, University of Ljubljana, Pot pomorscakov 4, 6320 Portoroz, Slovenia
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Menéndez D, Blanco-Fernandez C, Machado-Schiaffino G, Ardura A, Garcia-Vazquez E. High microplastics concentration in liver is negatively associated with condition factor in the Benguela hake Merluccius polli. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 262:115135. [PMID: 37320916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) affect both marine and terrestrial biota worldwide for their harmful effects, which range from physical cell damage to physiological deterioration. In this research, microplastics were quantified from gills, liver and muscle of demersal Benguela hakes Merluccius polli (n = 94), caught by commercial trawling from northwest African waters. Plastic polymers were identified using Fourier Transformed-infraRed spectroscopy (FT-iR). Fulton's k condition factor and the degree of DNA degradation in liver were measured. None of the individuals were free of MPs, whose concentration ranged from 0.18 particles/g in muscle to 0.6 in liver. Four hazardous polymers were identified: 2-ethoxyethylmethacrylate, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, and poly-acrylics. MP concentration in liver was correlated negatively with the condition factor, suggesting physiological damage. Positive association of MP concentration and liver DNA degradation was explained from cell breakage during trawl hauls during decompression, suggesting an additional way of MPs harm in organisms inhabiting at great depth. This is the first report of potential MPs-driven damage in this species; more studies are recommended to understand the impact of MP pollution on demersal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Menéndez
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, C/ Julian Claveria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carmen Blanco-Fernandez
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, C/ Julian Claveria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Machado-Schiaffino
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, C/ Julian Claveria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alba Ardura
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, C/ Julian Claveria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Eva Garcia-Vazquez
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, C/ Julian Claveria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
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Bai Z, Zhang Y, Cheng L, Zhou X, Wang M. Nanoplastics pose a greater effect than microplastics in enhancing mercury toxicity to marine copepods. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 325:138371. [PMID: 36906006 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138371] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Due to human activities, high abundances of nano/microplastics (N/MPs) concurrent with metal pollution have become a serious problem in the global marine environment. Because of displaying a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, N/MPs can serve as the carriers of metals and thus increase their accumulation/toxicity in marine biota. As one of the most toxic metals, mercury (Hg) causes adverse effects on marine organisms but whether environmentally relevant N/MPs can play a vector role of this metal in marine biota, as well as their interaction, is poorly known. To evaluate the vector role of N/MPs in Hg toxicity, we first performed the adsorption kinetics and isotherms of N/MPs and Hg in seawater, as well as ingestion/egestion of N/MPs by marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus, and second, the copepod T. japonicus was exposed to polystyrene (PS) N/MPs (500-nm, 6-μm) and Hg in isolation, combined, and incubated forms at environmentally relevant concentrations for 48 h. Also, the physiological and defense performance including antioxidant response, detoxification/stress, energy metabolism, and development-related genes were assessed after exposure. The results indicated N/MPs significantly increased Hg accumulation and thus its toxicity effects in T. japonicus as exemplified by decreased transcription of genes related to development and energy metabolism and increased transcriptional levels of genes functioning in antioxidant and detoxification/stress defense. More importantly, NPs were superimposed onto MPs and produced the most vector effect in Hg toxicity to T. japonicus, especially in the incubated forms. Overall, this study highlighted the role of N/MPs as a potential risk factor for increasing the adverse effects of Hg pollution, and emphasized the adsorption forms of contaminants by N/MPs should doubly be considered in the continuing researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoan Bai
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies/College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies/College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Luman Cheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies/College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies/College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
| | - Minghua Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies/College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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Bošković N, Joksimović D, Bajt O. Microplastics in mussels from the Boka Kotorska Bay (Adriatic Sea) and impact on human health. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 173:113641. [PMID: 36724845 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the microplastic abundance, shape, color, size and chemical composition of microplastic in mussels and estimated human exposure to microplastic through consumption of mussels collected from Boka Kotorska Bay (Adriatic coast of Montenegro). Microplastic was found in 53.3% of the studied mussels, with an average microplastic abundance of 2.53 ± 1.1 items/individual. Most of the ingested microplastic were fibers (63.7%), which were blue in color. FT-IR revealed that 98% of the examined particles were plastic, with seven polymers identified, of which polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate were the most abumdant polymers in mussels. Three of the polymers detected in mussels (polyamide, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene) are classified as hazardous by the European Chemical Agency with warning or danger signals. With one serving of mussels, consumers would ingest 22.7 microplastic particles, while the annual dietary intake of microplastic via consumption of mussels was estimated at 99 MP/year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Bošković
- Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, 85330, Put I Bokeljske Brigade 68, Kotor, Montenegro.
| | - Danijela Joksimović
- Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, 85330, Put I Bokeljske Brigade 68, Kotor, Montenegro
| | - Oliver Bajt
- National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station, Fornače 41, 6330, Piran, Slovenia; Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, University of Ljubljana, Pot Pomorscakov 4, 6320, Portoroz, Slovenia
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Content of Trace Elements and Human Health Risk Assessment via Consumption of Commercially Important Fishes from Montenegrin Coast. Foods 2023; 12:foods12040762. [PMID: 36832839 PMCID: PMC9956913 DOI: 10.3390/foods12040762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscle tissues of Mullus barbatus and Merluccius merluccius were analyzed for the presence of selected trace elements (As, Hg, Cd, and Pb) to determine the value of the daily intake of trace elements from fish consumption and to assess the risk to human health. The mean concentrations of As in the muscle tissue of M. barbatus and M. merluccius for the entire period were 19.689 mg/kg wet weight (ww) and 8.356 mg/kg ww, Hg 0.497 mg/kg ww and 0.153 mg/kg ww, and Pb 0.031 mg/kg ww and 0.025 mg/kg ww, respectively. The concentrations of Cd in all fish sampled were below the detection limit (<0.02 mg/kg ww). The evaluation of the potential health risk assessments based on the target hazard quotient (THQ) and estimated daily intake (EDI) indicated that the intake of As in both fish species and Hg for M. barbatus could pose an appreciable risk to human health. The calculated hazard index (HI) was higher than 1 for both fish species. The continuous monitoring of trace elements' concentrations in fish is strongly recommended, as the results demonstrate potential health risks due to the presence of As and Hg.
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