Toxicity effects and mechanism of micro/nanoplastics and loaded conventional pollutants on zooplankton: An overview

Bo Zhao; Fang Chen; Qiang Yao; Manfeng Lin; Kexin Zhou; Shican Mi; Haixia Pan; Xin Zhao

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106547

Toxicity effects and mechanism of micro/nanoplastics and loaded conventional pollutants on zooplankton: An overview

Mar Environ Res. 2024 May 8:198:106547. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106547. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Bo Zhao¹, Fang Chen², Qiang Yao³, Manfeng Lin⁴, Kexin Zhou⁵, Shican Mi⁶, Haixia Pan⁷, Xin Zhao⁸

Affiliations

¹ School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China; School of Resources and Materials, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China. Electronic address: 957941720@qq.com.
² School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China; School of Resources and Materials, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China. Electronic address: chenfangyq@163.com.
³ Ocean College, Hebei Agriculture University, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China. Electronic address: yytyyq@163.com.
⁴ School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China; School of Resources and Materials, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China. Electronic address: 1513547729@qq.com.
⁵ School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China; School of Resources and Materials, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China. Electronic address: 626517984@qq.com.
⁶ School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China; School of Resources and Materials, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China. Electronic address: 1481142618@qq.com.
⁷ School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China; School of Resources and Materials, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China. Electronic address: panhaixia1015@163.com.
⁸ School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China. Electronic address: zhaoxin@mail.neu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38739970
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106547

Abstract

Micro/nanoplastics in aquatic environments is a noteworthy environmental problem. Zooplankton, an important biological group in aquatic ecosystems, readily absorb micro/nanoplastics and produce a range of toxic endpoints due to their small size. This review summarises relevant studies on the effects of micro/nanoplastics on zooplankton, including combined effects with conventional pollutants. Frequently reported adverse effects include acute/chronic lethal effects, oxidative stress, gene expression, energetic homeostasis, and growth and reproduction. Obstruction by plastic entanglement and blockage is the physical mechanism. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity are molecular mechanisms. Properties of micro/nanoplastics, octanol/water partition coefficients of conventional pollutants, species and intestinal environments are important factors influencing single and combined toxicity. Selecting a wider range of micro/nanoplastics, focusing on the aging process and conducting field studies, adopting diversified zooplankton models, and further advancing the study of mechanisms are the outstanding prospects for deeper understanding of impacts of micro/nanoplastics on aquatic ecosystem.

Keywords: Bioconcentration; Biological pump; Energy homeostasis; Genotoxicity; Marine ecology; Oxidative stress; Pathways; Zooplankton.

Publication types

Review