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Zhao J, Lan R, Wang Z, Su W, Song D, Xue R, Liu Z, Liu X, Dai Y, Yue T, Xing B. Microplastic fragmentation by rotifers in aquatic ecosystems contributes to global nanoplastic pollution. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:406-414. [PMID: 37945989 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01534-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The role of aquatic organisms in the biological fragmentation of microplastics and their contribution to global nanoplastic pollution are poorly understood. Here we present a biological fragmentation pathway that generates nanoplastics during the ingestion of microplastics by rotifers, a commonly found and globally distributed surface water zooplankton relevant for nutrient recycling. Both marine and freshwater rotifers could rapidly grind polystyrene, polyethylene and photo-aged microplastics, thus releasing smaller particulates during ingestion. Nanoindentation studies of the trophi of the rotifer chitinous mastax revealed a Young's modulus of 1.46 GPa, which was higher than the 0.79 GPa for polystyrene microparticles, suggesting a fragmentation mechanism through grinding the edges of microplastics. Marine and freshwater rotifers generated over 3.48 × 105 and 3.66 × 105 submicrometre particles per rotifer in a day, respectively, from photo-aged microplastics. Our data suggest the ubiquitous occurrence of microplastic fragmentation by different rotifer species in natural aquatic environments of both primary and secondary microplastics of various polymer compositions and provide previously unidentified insights into the fate of microplastics and the source of nanoplastics in global surface waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhao
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Ruyi Lan
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Wenli Su
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Dongpo Song
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Runze Xue
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhuomiao Liu
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Xia Liu
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanhui Dai
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Tongtao Yue
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Baoshan Xing
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
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Daghighi E, Shah T, Chia RW, Lee JY, Shang J, Rodríguez-Seijo A. The forgotten impacts of plastic contamination on terrestrial micro- and mesofauna: A call for research. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116227. [PMID: 37244494 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) contamination of the terrestrial environment is a growing concern worldwide and is thought to impact soil biota, particularly the micro and mesofauna community, by various processes that may contribute to global change in terrestrial systems. Soils act as a long-term sink for MP, accumulating these contaminants and increasing their adverse impacts on soil ecosystems. Consequently, the whole terrestrial ecosystem is impacted by microplastic pollution, which also threatens human health by their potential transfer to the soil food web. In general, the ingestion of MP in different concentrations by soil micro and mesofauna can adversely affect their development and reproduction, impacting terrestrial ecosystems. MP in soil moves horizontally and vertically because of the movement of soil organisms and the disturbance caused by plants. However, the effects of MP on terrestrial micro-and mesofauna are largely overlooked. Here, we give the most recent information on the forgotten impacts of MP contamination of soil on microfauna and mesofauna communities (protists, tardigrades, soil rotifers, nematodes, collembola and mites). More than 50 studies focused on the impact of MP on these organisms between 1990 and 2022 have been reviewed. In general, plastic pollution does not directly affect the survival of organisms, except under co-contaminated plastics that can increase adverse effects (e.g. tire-tread particles on springtails). Besides, they can have adverse effects at oxidative stress and reduced reproduction (protists, nematodes, potworms, springtails or mites). It was observed that micro and mesofauna could act as passive plastic transporters, as shown for springtails or mites. Finally, this review discusses how soil micro- and mesofauna play a key role in facilitating the (bio-)degradation and movement of MP and NP through soil systems and, therefore, the potential transfer to soil depths. More research should be focused on plastic mixtures, community level and long-term experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaheh Daghighi
- BetterSoil e. V., Lise-Meitner-Straße 9, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tufail Shah
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - R W Chia
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea; Research Institute for Earth Resources, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Yong Lee
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea; Research Institute for Earth Resources, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Jianying Shang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Andrés Rodríguez-Seijo
- Área de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Departamento de Bioloxía Vexetal e Ciencia Do Solo, Facultade de Ciencias de Ourense, Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas S/n, Ourense, 32004, Spain; Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros Do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos S/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.
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Martins A, da Silva DD, Silva R, Carvalho F, Guilhermino L. Warmer water, high light intensity, lithium and microplastics: Dangerous environmental combinations to zooplankton and Global Health? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 854:158649. [PMID: 36089038 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays there is a high concern about the combined effects of global warming and emerging environmental contaminants with significant increasing trends of use, such as lithium (Li) and microplastics (MPs), both on wildlife and human health. Therefore, the effects of high light intensity (26,000 lx) or warmer water temperature (25 °C) on the long-term toxicity of Li and mixtures of Li and MPs (Li-MPs mixtures) were investigated using model populations of the freshwater zooplankton species Daphnia magna. Three 21-day bioassays were done in the laboratory at the following water temperatures and light intensities: (i) 20 °C/10830 lx; (ii) 20 °C/26000 lx (high light intensity); (iii) 25 °C/10830 lx (warmer temperature). Based on the 21-day EC50s on reproduction, high light intensity increased the reproductive toxicity of Li and Li-MPs mixtures by ~1.3 fold; warmer temperature increased the toxicity of Li by ~1.2 fold, and the toxicity of Li-MPs mixtures by ~1.4 fold based on the concentration of Li, and by ~2 fold based on the concentrations of MPs. At high light intensity, Li (0.04 mg/L) and Li-MPs mixtures (0.04 Li + 0.09 MPs mg/L) reduced the population fitness by 32 % and 41 %, respectively. Warmer temperature, Li (0.05 mg/L) and Li-MPs mixtures (0.05 Li + 0.09 MPs mg/L) reduced it by 63 % and 71 %, respectively. At warmer temperature or high light intensity, higher concentrations of Li and Li-MPs mixtures lead to population extinction. Based on the population growth rate and using data of bioassays with MPs alone done simultaneously, Li and MPs interactions were antagonistic or synergistic depending on the scenario. High light intensity and chemical stress generally acted synergistically. Warmer temperature and chemical stress always acted synergistically. These findings highlight the threats of long-term exposure to Li and Li-MPs mixtures to freshwater zooplankton and Global Health in a warmer world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Martins
- ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Department of Population Studies, Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Ecology (ECOTOX), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Research Team of Ecotoxicology, Stress Ecology and Environmental Health (ECOTOX), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Diana Dias da Silva
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU CRL, Rua Central de Gandra, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Renata Silva
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Félix Carvalho
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Lúcia Guilhermino
- ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Department of Population Studies, Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Ecology (ECOTOX), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Research Team of Ecotoxicology, Stress Ecology and Environmental Health (ECOTOX), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
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Editorial for the Special Issue “Microplastics in Aquatic Environments: Occurrence, Distribution and Effects”. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10070407. [PMID: 35878312 PMCID: PMC9324594 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10070407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The large production and widespread daily consumption of plastic materials—which began in the last century—together with the often-inadequate collection and recycling systems, have made plastics and, consequently, microplastics (MPs) ubiquitous pollutants [...]
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