Influence of Particle Size on Ecotoxicity of Low-Density Polyethylene Microplastics, with and without Adsorbed Benzo-a-Pyrene, in Clam Scrobicularia plana.

Ana Rita Rodrigues,Steffen Keiter,Bettie Cormier,Tainá Garcia Da Fonseca,Maria João Bebianno,Nélia C C Mestre,Paulo Z Pedro,Camilla C Carteny

doi:10.3390/biom12010078

Abstract

This study investigated the ecotoxicological effects of differently sized (4–6 µm and 20–25 µm) low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics (MPs), with and without adsorbed benzo-a-pyrene (BaP), in clam Scrobicularia plana. Biomarkers of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase—SOD; catalase—CAT), biotransformation (glutathione-S-transferases—GST), oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation—LPO) and neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase—AChE) were analysed in gills and digestive glands at different time intervals for a total of 14 days of exposure. In order to have a better impact perspective of these contaminants, an integrated biomarker response index (IBR) and Health Index were applied. Biomarker alterations are apparently more related to smaller sized (4–6 µm) MPs in gills and to virgin LDPE MPs in the digestive gland according to IBR results, while the digestive gland was more affected by these MPs according to the health index.

Highlights

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The aim of this study was to determine whether biological impacts provoked by exposure of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) MPs to clam S. plana relies on the size of plastic particles, the presence of BaP adsorbed onto MPs or the combination of both
Antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) has a higher response in gills for the larger size of LDPE + BaP MPs and an increase in GST activity in the gills of the clams exposed to 20–25 μm MPs + BaP after 7 days of exposure was observed

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Plastic debris are constantly found in the ocean, which come from waste mismanagement [1] or directly from fishing industries and recreational ships [2]. Plastic debris can be divided into three categories: macroplastics, microplastics and nanoplastics. Microplastics (

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