Publications by authors named "Youn-Ha Lee"
The effects of expanded polystyrene particle on energy metabolism of the sea slater (Ligia cinerascens) originating from a highly EPS-polluted area.
Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol
December 2024
Due to its high concentration and persistence, microplastic (MP) pollution is a major threat to marine environments. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) particles are the most abundant MP type in Asian regions, including the Korean coastal region. Although many previous studies have reported the toxicity of MPs to marine biota, the toxicity of environmentally relevant MPs to coastal organisms is not well understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDue to their worldwide distribution and persistence, mercury (Hg), and nano- and microplastics (NMPs) pose major threats to global ocean ecosystems. Hg and NMPs co-exist in the ocean and can interact with each other. However, information on the toxicity of this interaction to marine biota remains limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Smaller microplastics are ingested more frequently by marine zooplankton, regardless of shape.
- Fragmented microplastics are more toxic than spherical ones of the same size.
- The presence of prey influences both the ingestion of microplastics and their toxicity to zooplankton, highlighting the importance of feeding strategies.
Article Synopsis
- Microplastics (MPs), particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are persistent pollutants in oceans that pose risks to marine life, but their toxicity effects are not well understood.
- A study on the marine rotifer Brachionus koreanus found no significant mortality after exposure to PET MPs, even after 24 and 48 hours.
- However, PET MPs led to increased reactive oxygen species and changes in important biological processes, suggesting potential long-term toxicity affecting the rotifer's antioxidant systems, immune functions, and energy metabolism.