Effect of short-term exposure to fluorescent red polymer microspheres on Artemia franciscana nauplii and juveniles

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitously present in the world’s seas with unknown potential toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate biochemical responses caused by 1–5 μm diameter plastic fluorescent red polymer microspheres (FRM), under short-term exposure of nauplii and juveniles of Artemia franciscana, using a set of biomarkers involved in important physiological processes such as biotransformation, neuronal transmission and oxidative stress. Two FRM concentrations (0.4 and 1.6 mg mL−1) present in the water at ecologically relevant concentrations were used to study their toxicity. No significant differences were found in growth, survival and feeding behaviour of nauplii, after 2 days of exposure to both FRM concentrations. However, in juveniles, survival decreased after 5 days of exposure to FRM1.6; but no significant differences were found in either growth or feeding behaviour. It was observed that nauplii and juveniles, under short-term exposure, had the ability to ingest and egest FRM particles, although their accumulation was higher in nauplii than in juveniles, maybe related with the capacity of the latter to empty their gut content faster, in the presence of food. Regarding biomarkers responses in nauplii, all enzymatic activities increased significantly, after short-term exposure to the higher FRM concentration tested (FRM1.6), which could be related with detoxifying MPs-triggered oxidative stress. In juveniles, the inhibition of ChE and the decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, after 5 days of exposure to FRM1.6, might indicate a neurotoxic effect and oxidative damage induced by FRM. This study provides further evidences that accumulation of MPs in the gut by nauplii and juveniles of A. franciscana can induce negative effects on important physiological processes with influence on their health, highlighting the general concern about the negative effects of MPs pollution on aquatic species, as well as the need to understand the mechanism of MPs toxicity and its possible impacts on environmental safety.

Comparative toxicity of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene nanoplastics on Artemia franciscana nauplii: a multidimensional assessment

“…These results agreed with previous studies that showed increased mortality (LC 50 40.95 mg L −1 ) of Artemia exposed to higher concentrations (1–100 μg mL −1 ) of PP-MPs 44 and PS-NPs (5–100 μg mL −1 ), 45 as well as PS-NH 2 (100 μg mL −1 ) 22 and PS-NH 2 (10 μg mL −1 ) for 48 h. 6 However, some studies reported no significant effects of MPs on the survival of different brine shrimp species. 23,27,46 This indicates that the size of M/NPs influences the ingestion, bioaccumulation, and survival of brine shrimp.…”

“…[19][20][21][22] Among crustaceans Artemia, also known as brine shrimp has been widely used as an ecotoxicological model organism in the marine environment due to their short life cycles, and high fecundity. 23 These are small crustaceans inhabiting hypersaline waters, such as salt lakes, lagoons, and salt pans where they serve as a crucial food item for many fish larvae and play a key role in the energy transfer of the marine trophic chain. 24 NPs exposure leads to severe alterations in the development, morphology, and physiology of Artemia franciscana (A. franciscana), measured by various endpoints, such as oxidative stress, cell damage, biochemical and genetic modifications, and neurological and reproductive impairments 6,12,21,[25][26][27] (Table 1).…”

Progress on the Effects of Microplastics on Aquatic Crustaceans: A Review

“…PS- significantly reduced the ChE and CbE activities in A. franciscana at 1 mg/L [ 91 ]. Polymer spheres significantly increased the CbE and ChE activities in A. franciscana nauplii at 1.6 mg/L and significantly increased the CbE and ChE activities in A. franciscana juveniles at 0.4 and 1.6 mg/L [ 126 ]. For Cladocera, plain PS suspension increased the AChE activity, while the functionalized PS significantly decreased the AChE activity in D. magna [ 50 ].…”

Spatio-temporal patterns of ovarian development and VgR gene silencing reduced fecundity in parthenogenetic Artemia

“…These offspring are considered ‘full clones’ with the same genotype and are genetically identical to their mother [18,19]. For Artemia , the subjects of biological research mainly focuses on diapause and de-diapause mechanism [20], viviparous and ovoviviparous reproduction regulation [21] and physiological response to the toxicological exposure [22,23].…”