Abstract
The link between different plastic waste pollutants and their impact on the natural aquatic environment and food chain remains a constant and growing issue. Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor produced in large quantities primarily in the industry of polycarbonate plastics, can accumulate in vegetal and animal tissue, thus magnifying through trophic levels. In this study we exposed viable specimens of the aquatic plant Lemna minor under controlled conditions to 50, 100 and 200 ppm BPA levels in order to partially observe the toxic effects of BPA. Colonies ceased to form during the exposure and chlorosis was present especially in the 100 ppm group. Interestingly enough, a high density formation of non-fermenting bacteria as well as coliforms was also observed in the BPA exposed cultures but not in the control groups. The levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the vegetal tissue indicated cellular insults and severe damage, results that were correlated with the HPLC BPA determined concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4%.
Highlights
Plastic pollution induces an alarming impact on aquatic ecosystems, becoming a severe issue worldwide
These micropollutants can bioaccumulate in the food chain and the resulting trophic transfer of microplastics and chemical constituents can have a serious impact on the stability of the ecosystem [1]
Bisphenol A (BPA), a compound used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, has been detected in aquatic ecosystems, with about 100 tons of BPA
Summary
Plastic pollution induces an alarming impact on aquatic ecosystems, becoming a severe issue worldwide. The unprecedented accumulation of growing plastic waste pollutants in aquatic ecosystems leads to disturbances to ecosystems’ structure and functions [1]. It has been determined that there are chemical additives in the composition of some microplastics that are known as reproductive toxins, carcinogens and mutagens [2]. These micropollutants can bioaccumulate in the food chain and the resulting trophic transfer of microplastics and chemical constituents can have a serious impact on the stability of the ecosystem [1]. Evidence of BPA has been discovered in river and marine sediments in variable concentrations [4,5]
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