Are mixtures of micro/nanoplastics more toxic than individual micro or nanoplastic contamination in the clam Ruditapes decussatus?

The abundance of micro (MPs) and nano (NPs) sized plastic particles in the ocean is concerning due to their harmful effects on marine life. The interactions between MPs and NPs in the marine environment and their impact on marine biota remain not fully understood. This study contributes with new insights into the interaction between polystyrene NPs (PSNPs) and polyethylene MPs (PEMPs) on the clam Ruditapes decussatus.

Looking beyond the obvious: The ecotoxicological impact of the leachate from fishing nets and cables in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Once in the marine environment, fishing nets and cables undergo weathering, breaking down into micro and nano-size particles and leaching plastic additives, which negatively affect marine biota. This study aims to unravel the ecotoxicological impact of different concentrations of leachate obtained from abandoned or lost fishing nets and cables in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis under long-term exposure (28 days). Biochemical biomarkers linked to antioxidant defense system, xenobiotic biotransformation, oxidative damage, genotoxicity, and neurotoxicity were evaluated in different mussel tissues.

Field study of metal concentrations and biomarker responses in resident oysters of an estuarine system in southern Brazil.

Pollutant exposure is considered an important factor responsible for the decline in marine biodiversity of Latin American coastal ecosystems. This threat has been detected in an estuarine system in southern Brazil, which prompted an investigation into the long-term biological effects of a chronic metal contamination on resident oysters from the Laguna Estuarine System (LES). Here, we present the species- and size-specific variations of biomarker responses (catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferase, and protein carbonylation) in the gills and digestive gland of Crassostrea gigas and Crassostrea gasar.

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) adsorbed to polyethylene microplastics: Accumulation and ecotoxicological effects in the clam Scrobicularia plana.

Microplastics are widespread in the marine environment, whereby the uptake of these tiny particles by organisms, can cause adverse biological responses. Plastic debris also act as a vector of many contaminants, herein depending on type, size, shape and chemical properties, possibly intensifying their effects on marine organisms. This study aimed to assess the accumulation and potential toxicity of different sizes of microplastics with and without adsorbed perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in the clam Scrobicularia plana.

Metal bioaccumulation, oxidative stress and antioxidant responses in oysters Crassostrea gasar transplanted to an estuary in southern Brazil.

The present study assessed the spatial and temporal variations on metal bioaccumulation and biochemical biomarker responses in oysters Crassostrea gasar transplanted to two different sites (S1 and S2) at the Laguna Estuarine System (LES), southern Brazil, over a 45-days period. A multi-biomarker approach was used, including the evaluation of lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels, and antioxidant defense enzymes (CAT, GPx, GR and G6PDH) and phase II biotransformation enzyme (GST) in the gills and digestive gland of oysters in combination with the quantification of Al, Cd, Cu, Pb, Fe, Ni and Zn in both tissues. The exposed oysters bioaccumulated metals, especially Al, Cd and Zn in gills and digestive gland, with most prominent biomarker responses in the gills.