The particle effect: comparative toxicity of chlorpyrifos in combination with microplastics and phytoplankton particles in mussel.

Lately, the role of microplastics (MP) as vectors for dissolved contaminants and as vehicle for their transfer to aquatic organisms has received attention. Similarly to MP, other inorganic and organic particles may act as passive samplers. However, limited comparative knowledge exists at this respect.

Developmental and biochemical markers of the impact of pollutant mixtures under the effect of Global Climate Change.

This study investigates the combined impact of microplastics (MP) and Chlorpyriphos (CPF) on sea urchin larvae (Paracentrotus lividus) under the backdrop of ocean warming and acidification. While the individual toxic effects of these pollutants have been previously reported, their combined effects remain poorly understood. Two experiments were conducted using different concentrations of CPF (EC10 and EC50) based on previous studies from our group.

Microplastics increase the toxicity of mercury, chlorpyrifos and fluoranthene to mussel and sea urchin embryos.

The objective of this study was to determine whether and to what extent microplastics (MPs) enhance the toxicity of pollutants as well as whether pollutant-loaded MPs act as relevant vectors of chemical pollutants. With this aim, the toxicity for mussel and sea urchin embryos of: 1) three dissolved pollutants (Pol): chlorpyrifos (CPF), fluoranthene (FLT) and mercury (Hg); 2) their mixture with Microplastics (MP + Pol); and 3) pollutant-loaded MPs (MP), was assessed. Analyses of CPF, FLT and Hg were also performed to evaluate the transfer among dissolved and particulate phases.

Filtration of biopolymer PHB particles loaded with synthetic musks does not cause significant bioaccumulation in marine mussels.

The role of the biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB, <250 µm) as a vehicle of a synthetic musks mixture (celestolide, galaxolide, tonalide, musk xylene, musk moskene and musk ketone) to Mytilus galloprovincialis was investigated. For 30 days, virgin PHB, virgin PHB+musks (6.82 µg g-1) and weathered PHB+musks, were daily spiked into tanks containing mussels, followed by a 10-day depuration period.

Microplastic occurrence in deep-sea fish species Alepocephalus bairdii and Coryphaenoides rupestris from the Porcupine Bank (North Atlantic).

Microplastic occurrence in marine biota has been reported in a wide range of animals, from marine mammals and seabirds to invertebrates. Commercial and shallow-water fish have been the subject of numerous works on microplastic ingestion, given their importance in human diet and accessibility. However, little is known about microlitter occurrence in fish species inhabiting the dark ocean, in the bathyal zone and there is a high degree of uncertainty about microplastic distribution in offshore areas and the deep sea.