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Volume 43 ， Issue 2 ， 2025
- Abstract：Microplastics (MPs) have garnered increasing research attentions due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and consequential impacts on both ecosystems and human health. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are identified as major sources of MPs in aquatic environments, as they receive anthropogenic MPs from household and industrial sewer networks. Based on treated wastewater samples collected in October 2018 from a WWTP in Hangzhou City, China, the MP transport into the Qiantang River before heading into Hangzhou Bay, East China Sea, was investigated. To determine the abundance and characteristics of MPs, the quantities of MPs released into the environment from the WWTP in different treatment stages were estimated, and their migration was simulated using numerical modeling techniques. Results show that the abundance of MPs in the effluent of the WWTP was 1.3 pieces/L, with a daily discharge of 7.6×108 pieces of MPs into the Qiantang River. Polyether sulfone (PES), rayon, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were identified from MPs, being dominated by polypropylene (PP). MPs predominantly displayed fibrous and fragmented shapes. Household laundering and plastic product usage were major sources of MPs, with mechanical wear during treatment potentially contributing to the transformation from primary to secondary MPs. After 45 days of transport simulation, a high abundance zone of MPs was observed in the southern region of Hangzhou Bay, with its diffusion range being influenced by the combined effects of river runoff and tides. The spatial distribution range was significantly greater during the spring tide compared to that in the neap tide, and there were varying degrees of MP accumulation in the upper reaches of the wastewater outlet as runoff decreased. This study integrated the emissions and transport of MPs from WWTPs to estuarine rivers, thereby providing valuable scientific guidance for future regional control measures and ecological risk assessments of MPs.Keywords：microplastic (MP);wastewater treatment plant (WWTP);transport;numerical simulation;Qiantang River57|34|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Microplastics (MPs) pollution has emerged as a critical global environmental issue, for which rivers serve as key conduits for the transport of MPs from land to ocean. There remained a lack of clarity regarding the characteristics and transport patterns of MPs pollution in diverse environmental media and seasons within a river basin. The Jiulong River basin in Fujian, southeast China was studied as case, whose spatial-temporal distribution, pollution characteristics, and transport dynamics of MPs in both surface water and groundwater were analyzed. Additionally, the features of MPs in different land use types during the dry season were examined. Results show that in wet season, the abundance of MPs in river water varied from 840 to 12 300 p/m3, with an average of 3 920 p/m3; in groundwater, the range was 740–1 820 p/m3, averaging 1 107 p/m3; and from 68 to 951 p/kg, with an average value of 265 p/kg in the soil (dry weight). In dry season, levels of MPs in river water ranged from 580 to 8 880 p/m3, with an average of 4 034 p/m3; groundwater exhibited a range of 860–14 980 p/m3, averaging 3 453 p/m3. Fibers consistently dominated the morphology of MPs, of which polyethylene terephthalate was identified as the predominant composition in each environmental medium. Our findings underscore the spatial and temporal variability in distribution and contamination characteristics of MPs across different media. Notably, MPs abundance in river water and groundwater exhibited a seasonal pattern, being higher in levels in dry season than in wet season. The downstream transport of MPs was facilitated by surface runoff, in which MPs in groundwater and surface water could complement to each other. Furthermore, population density and human activities were identified as influential factors on the distribution and abundance of MPs. This study revealed the order of magnitude of difference in annual estimates of MPs entering the sea among different models. Additionally, the interception volume by mangrove forest in the Jiulong River estuary was estimated approximately 1.51×1010 MPs particles per year. Ecological interception shall be considered when estimating the fluxes of MPs into the sea.Keywords：microplastic (MP);distribution characteristics;environmental influencing factors;fluxes into the sea;Jiulong River20|19|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are recognized as an important source for microplastic (MP) pollution in the receiving waters. The removal efficiency of MPs in WWTPs and the discharge flux remain largely unknown. The present study measured the MP abundances in the influents, effluents, and activated sludge in four domestic and one industrial WWTPs in Guangzhou, China. The MP abundance detected in influent samples were approximately one order of magnitude higher than those found in effluents, resulting in high removal efficiencies of MPs (97.4%–98.7%) in these WWTPs. A significant amount of the removed MPs deposited in the activated sludge, with abundances of MPs ranging from 7 to 888 pieces/g dry weight sludge. Microplastics remaining in effluents were discharged into the receiving river with releasing rates of ranging from (1.1±1.0)×107 to (4.54±3.92)×109 pieces per day. Results obtained in the present study suggest that the contribution of MPs from WWTPs to the aquatic environment is non-negligible and the application of sludge in the agricultural environment may bring additional MP pollution to agricultural soils.Keywords：microplastic (MP);wastewater treatment plant (WWTP);activated sludge;influent and effluent;discharge flux6|21|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Microplastics (MPs) have been widely detected in marine environments, yet the pollution in terrestrial fresh waters in economically underdeveloped and remote areas is poorly understood. We investigated the abundance and distribution of MPs in inland waters (including open waters in river, lake, reservoir, stream, and tap water and bottled water) in Guizhou, SW China, detected by Nile Red staining. Results show that MPs were detected in all samples, with the mean abundance of 3.5±1.9 items/mL in 34 river water samples, 3.9±1.9 items/mL in 14 lake and reservoir water samples, 3.4±2.4 items/mL in 87 stream water samples, 3.8±3.8 items/mL in 164 tap water samples, and 1.3±3.2 items/mL in 12 bottled water samples from 4 different brands. The MP abundance in open field waters (3.6±3.0 items/mL) was significantly higher than that in bottled water (1.3±3.2 items/mL) (P<0.05). The microplastics with particle sizes of 10–20 μm accounted for more than 50% of all samples. The composition ratio of small- and medium-sized microplastics in open waters was higher than in tap and bottled water (P<0.05). The MPs abundance tended to increase with the decrease in particle size. Therefore, microplastic pollution varied in different degrees in open waters in economically underdeveloped and remote areas of the southwestern China, which is consistent with microplastic pollution in other similar water environments. This study provided a reference for understanding the microplastic content and pollution control in the inland waters in western and remote areas of China.Keywords：microplastic (MP);Nile red;water body;Guizhou12|19|0Updated：2025-03-21
Micro- and nano-plastics in freshwater environments
- Abstract：Coastal ecosystems are plagued by high levels of microplastic pollution. Conducting baseline surveys is crucial to comprehend the distribution and influencing factors of this pollution. The present study investigates the spatiotemporal variation and diversity of microplastic on the coastal beaches in Xiamen City, China, considering the combined effects of seasons, human activities, and physicochemical properties of sediments. It is detected that the abundance of microplastics in Xiamen beaches was 0.271±0.01 items/g. The abundance of microplastics in dry season was significantly higher than in rainy season. In terms of spatial variation, the beaches that attracted a larger number of tourists exhibited significantly higher microplastic abundance. The temporal pattern of microplastic distribution on different beaches varied greatly due to region-specific human activities (e.g., mangrove restoration project) and sedimentary properties (e.g., bulk density). When the assemblage of microplastics in the coastal area was viewed as a biological community, the Shannon-Wiener index and Pielou’s index were higher in rainy season and in the beaches with high intensity of tourist activities, which suggests that the human activities and the surface runoff may contribute to the diversity of microplastics on coastal beaches. Future investigations are encouraged to combine controlled experiments and long-term monitoring at multiple scales to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and factors associated with microplastic pollution in coastal zone.Keywords：microplastic pollution;coastal beaches;spatiotemporal variation;diversity13|23|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：In this study, the occurrence, sources, and ecological risk of microplastics (>60 μm) in the surface and bottom seawater were investigated in the Beibu Gulf, the northern South China Sea. The average abundance of microplastics in surface and bottom waters was 1.35±0.93 and 0.79±0.50 items/m³, respectively. Microplastics in both surface and bottom waters were predominantly in the form of fragments, and mostly in green. The composition of microplastics in surface water was primarily poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMA), whereas in bottom water, polyethylene (PE) dominated. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) modeling revealed that the primary sources of microplastics were pipeline abrasion, fishing activities, plastic waste, landfill disposal, transportation, aquaculture, and construction activities. The pollution load index (PLI) indicated that the overall risk of microplastic pollution in the Beibu Gulf was low. Conversely, the polymer hazard index (PHI) for microplastics was relatively high. These data underscore the importance of timely and effective reduction of human-intensive activities contributing to microplastic pollution and provide valuable information for further research in microplastic ecotoxicology and biogeochemistry.Keywords：microplastic;seawater;source;ecological risk;Beibu Gulf26|17|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Plastic pollution and microplastics in sediments are a growing concern for marine ecosystems worldwide. We examined the vertical distribution and properties of microplastics in beach sediments of Xuwen Coral Reef National Nature Reserve, in Leizhou Peninsula, Zhanjiang, China. Sediment samples were taken in seven locations at 5-cm intervals from the surface to a depth of 30 cm. The vertical distribution of microplastic particles ranged from 0 to 1 340 particles per kg on average of 119.05 particles per kg. The most prevalent material was fibers (76%), followed by film (12%), fragments (11.2%), and foam (0.8%). The microplastics in size of 1–2 mm constituted the largest percentage (40%) of the total, followed by those in size of <1 mm (26.4%), 2–3 mm (21.2%), 3–4 mm (9.6%), and 4–5 mm (2.81%). Site S1 observed maximum sizes between 1 and 2 mm, S2 reported higher availability of microplastics with sizes ranging from 0.3 to 1 mm. Six different types of polymers were identified in the investigation, and mostly were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). In general, the observation of microplastics in deeper sediments indicates that they have the ability to last for prolonged periods in the marine environment, which may present long-term hazards to benthic creatures. In conclusion, the discovery of microplastics in deep layers of coastal sediments highlights the necessity of minimizing plastic waste and enhancing management strategies to safeguard marine environments.Keywords：coral beach;vertical distribution;microplastic;sediment;Xuwen8|12|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Microplastics are a widely distributed pollutant that threatens the growth and health of marine organisms. Compared to the mainland, island ecosystems with unique characteristics are fragile and sensitive to natural and human interference. We investigated the characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics in the soils of Wuzhizhou Island, Hainan, China, and its surrounding nearshore sediments affected by human activities. Results show that the microplastic abundance in soil was 1 116.67 items/kg; the particles were fragmented in size of less than 2 mm, the main polymer types were polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polybutylene (PB), in transparent, gray, green, or white. The microplastic abundances in nearshore sediments of Wuzhizhou Island and the surrounding Haitang Bay were 274.67 and 755.17 items/kg, respectively; the particles were mainly fibrous, less than 1 mm in size, the main polymer types were rayon and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), mostly transparent. The abundance of microplastics showed a decreasing trend from shore to sea. Microplastics in the supratidal and intertidal zones differed in mainly the abundance and size. The microplastics in land soil were from tourism activities and infrastructure while the those in nearshore sediments came from not only tourism but also domestic sewage and fishing activities. The ecological risk of microplastics in the terrestrial soils of Wuzhizhou Island was higher than that in its surrounding nearshore sediments. These findings help to gain a deeper understanding of microplastic pollution in the island subjected to intensive human activities, and provide a scientific basis for subsequent in-situ toxicology research on microplastics and plastic pollution control.Keywords：microplastic;occurrence characteristic;ecological risk;tropical tourism island10|14|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：To explore the relationship of microplastic pollution in different media in marine environment, microplastics in the surface seawater and sediments of Laizhou Bay, Bohai Sea, North China, were studied. Seawater samples were collected using a pre-concentrator equipped with a 20-μm mesh size sieve, and sediment samples were collected by a box sampler. The shape, color, size, and type of microplastics were obtained by a stereomicroscope and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (ATR-μ-FT-IR). Results show that the abundance of microplastics in the surface seawater of Laizhou Bay was 858.3±573.2 items/m3, and that of microplastics in sediments was 151.0±77.4 items/kg dry weight (d.w.) The microplastics in seawater and sediments were mainly fibrous. Meanwhile, the microplastics in seawater were mainly transparent, and those in sediments were transparent and blue. The highest proportion of microplastics in seawater was rayon (77.48%), followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 13.17%). The highest proportion of microplastics in sediments was rayon (73.66%), followed by PET (8.90%). The size of microplastics in 1 000–2 000 μm accounted for the largest proportion of 28.54% in seawater, while that in 500–1 000 μm took 27.93% in sediment. Microplastics in seawater and sediment showed medium-level pollution. In seawater, microplastic abundance was higher in offshore and nearshore areas of Weifang. In sediment, microplastic abundance was higher in offshore and nearshore areas of Dongying. The results of the principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that microplastics in sediment exhibited greater stability compared to those in seawater. The microplastics in seawater and sediment show a positive correlation in terms of shape and plastic type, while exhibiting a negative correlation in terms of color. Overall, microplastics in sediments were smaller in size, and those in seawater and sediments had consistent size distribution characteristics in space.Keywords：microplastic;Laizhou Bay;sediment;seawater;correlation16|14|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Microplastic (MP) contamination is becoming a major worldwide concern, affecting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the source, distribution, and abundance of MPs in sediments from Dongshan Bay, Fujian, South China, emphasizing particularly the coastline region’s susceptibility to tidal impacts in four study sites. The concentrations of MPs in the sediments in the four sites were high from 7.4 to 283.1 items/kg (dry weight). There were notable differences in abundance between the locations and tide levels. Tides influenced the distribution of MPs greatly; however, the estuary areas showed greater MPs abundance during high tide, due possibly to enhanced water turbulence and riverine inputs. Low tide indicated higher concentrations in coastal locations owing to accumulation. Popular varieties, including nylon, polypropylene, and polyethylene, were identified by polymer research, pointing to the origins from fishing, packaging, and mariculture industries. Potential sources were determined using the PCA-K-means statistical analysis, by linking the origins of MPs to domestic activities, fishing, mariculturing, shipping, and packing. Fishing and packing were shown in the Sankey diagram as the two main sources, but their effects varied with research locations and tidal regimes. This study clarified the intricate dynamics of MPs pollution, highlighting the impact of tides on its dispersal and the variety of sources that contribute to this widespread environmental problem in coastal areas.Keywords：microplastic (MP);tide;source;sediment;Dongshan Bay19|5|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Microplastics (MPs) have recently emerged as a significant environmental problem with devastating consequences for organisms. Understanding MPs pollution in the Bay of Bengal is crucial for assessing its ecological impact on marine biodiversity and human health. This study examined the occurrence, spatial distribution, physical and chemical properties, ecological risks, and probable sources of MPs in estuarine and coastal marine environments in the northeastern Bay of Bengal. The average concentration of MPs in surface water of the Karnaphuli estuary, the Meghna estuary, and the southeastern coastal region were 916.7±462.6 items/m3, 462.9±324.5 items/m3, and 350.0±190.5 items/m3, respectively, varying from 105.0±324.5 items/m3 to 1 640.0±462.6 items/m3. In the sediments of the Karnaphuli estuary, the Meghna estuary, and the southeast coast of Bangladesh, the average amount of MPs were 94.3±33.1 items/kg, 157.6±89.0 items/kg, and 134.3±38.7 items/kg, with a range of 60±33.1 items/kg to 334.3±89.0 items/kg. Most observed MPs were fibers (60.0% in the water; 56.0% in the sediments), followed by fragments and lines. Detected MPs were dominated by polypropylene (20.7%) in the water, and acrylic (15.4%) in the sediment, black colored (76.2% in the water, 72.7% in the sediments), and 200–500 µm sized (48% in the water, 37% in the sediments). Pollution Risk Index (PRI) indicated significant pollution levels (from medium to very high) in estuarine and coastal areas. Multi-statistical analysis indicated land-based inputs (tourists, local waste, agriculture, and industry) dominated the studied regions. The study emphasized the potential impact of MPs pollution on aquatic ecosystems, emphasizing the need for effective management, mitigation methods, continuous surveillance, and thorough evaluation.Keywords：microplastic (MP);pollution risk assessment;polymer variety;Bay of Bengal;Karnaphuli estuary;Meghna estuary13|6|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Microplastic contamination is considered a major threat to the marine environment. Although microplastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean has been studied, its abundance, distribution, composition, and origin in the western Pacific Ocean remain unclear. Here, we investigated the abundance and distribution characteristics of microplastics in surface waters of the western Pacific Ocean and analyzed their potential sources. Results show that microplastics were widespread in the western Pacific Ocean, with abundance ranging from 0.03 to 2.36 particles/m3 (average 0.37±0.47 particles/m3). Fibers/filaments and fragments were the main shapes of microplastics (71.6%) and the most abundant microplastic size class was <1.0 mm (42.4%). Significant differences in microplastic abundance were observed in different regions, with the lowest abundance in the South China Sea (0.03 particles/m3) and highest abundance in the seamount area in the western Pacific Ocean (0.58 particles/m3). This study provides baseline data and insights into the fate and transportation of microplastics in the western Pacific region.Keywords：microplastic;Western Pacific;surface water;distribution characteristic;seamount area9|9|1Updated：2025-03-21
Micro- and nano-plastics in marine environments
- Abstract：In the context of global COVID-19 epidemic preparedness, the extensive use of disposable surgical masks (DSM) may lead to its emergence as a main new source of microplastics in the environment. Nowadays, DSMs have become a non-negligible source of plastic waste in aquatic environment, however, less research has been done on DSM after biofilm colonization in freshwater environment. The study investigated the microbial community of DSM-associated biofilms by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Analysis of the microbial community in the middle and inner/outer layers of the DSM showed that the middle layer was different from the remaining two layers and that potential pathogens were enriched only in the middle layer of the DSM. Herein, we focused on the middle layer and explored the characterization properties and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) components changes during biofilm formation. The results showed that the EPS components varied with the biofilm incubation time. As the formation of biofilm, the protein (PN) and polysaccharide (PS) in EPS showed an overall increasing trend, and the growth of PS was well synchronized with PN. Three fluorescent components of EPS were determined by the three-dimensional excitation emission matrix (3D-EEM), including humic acid-like, fulvic acid-like, and aromatic protein-like components. The percentage of fluorescent components varied with increasing biofilm development time and then stabilized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterization results elucidated the emergence of oxygen-containing functional groups during biofilm formation. Moreover, the hydrophilicity increased with biofilm development. In conclusion, the environmental behavior and ecological risks of DSM in aquatic environment deserve urgent attention in future studies.Keywords：biofilm;disposable surgical masks (DSM);extracellular polymeric substances (EPS);microbial community;plastisphere18|12|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Microplastics (MPs), a new type of environmental pollutant, can serve as substrates for microbes. Wetland ecosystems support a diverse range of aquatic and terrestrial species, and their ecological functions can be disturbed by inputs of microplastic debris. However, limited studies have focused on the interactions between MPs and microbes in wetland ecosystems. In this study, the bacterial communities on MPs in the wetland ecosystem of Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake, were investigated based on 16S rRNA sequencing. We found that the bacterial communities on MPs showed a lower richness and diversity but presented a higher number of unique OTUs than the water and sediment bacterial communities. Furthermore, the structure of the bacterial communities on MPs had a higher similarity to the bacterial compositions of the sediment than of the water, indicating that sediments are an important source of bacteria for MPs. It should be noted that the MPs could enhance the exchange of bacteria between water and sediment. The bacterial composition varied significantly among different substrates and at different sampling times; nevertheless, it showed consistency on the surface of MPs at different sampling sites. Proteobacteria dominated as the most abundant bacterial phylum across all samples. At the genus level, Pseudomonas were distinctly enriched in bacterial communities on MPs. In addition, the results of pathway prediction indicated that the pathways of “human disease” from MPs bacterial communities were higher than those from water and sediment. These results illustrate that the surfaces of MPs serve as distinct habitats for specific bacteria. Environmental factors such as nitrate nitrogen, pH, and organic matter were crucial in shaping the bacterial communities. This study provided a new insight into interactions between MPs and microbes in wetland ecosystems and into the associated potential risks to human health.Keywords：microplastic (MP);bacterial community;wetland ecosystem;Poyang Lake11|9|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a common type of microplastics (MPs) often found in coastal areas especially aquaculture areas. It is considered as an important site for microbial colonization and biofilm formation, as well as a carrier of pollutants like heavy metals. However, the dynamic changes of bacterial communities attached to EPS and their interaction with heavy metals are still poorly unknown. In this study, a one-year field exposure experiment was conducted at an aquaculture farm near Donghai Island, in Leizhou Bay, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, in South China Sea. The bacterial communities attached to EPS MPs were examined by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing, and the relationships between bacterial biofilms and heavy metals were explored. The results show that there were notable seasonal variations in the bacterial diversity of EPS MPs. Species biodiversity was the highest in summer and the lowest in winter. The greatest number of bacterial species and lowest level of uniformity were observed in the spring. The bacterial community structure changed with exposure time, and the most significant difference in the 12-month group (P<0.05) was found. The dominant bacterial species attached to EPS MPs were mainly Proteobackteria and Firmicutes at the phylum level, and Pseudomonas and Exiguobacterium were dominant at the genus level. Furthermore, EPS MPs acted as transport carriers for potential pathogenic bacteria. High correlations were found between bacterial species and the total concentration of heavy metals on EPS MPs, as well as their speciation fractions. Different chemical speciation of heavy metals migrated and altered over seasons within biofilms, which would further exacerbate the ecological risks.Keywords：microplastic (MP);bacterial community;biofilm;heavy metal;speciation fraction30|6|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：In recent years, microplastics (MPs) in freshwater lake have been receiving increasing attention; however, the microbial communities on the surface of MPs have not been well studied. To investigate the potential risk posed by MPs to the lake ecosystem and its surface microbial community structure, MPs samples were collected in September 2023 in the freshwater Dongting Lake, Hunan, China, at five sites, and the differences in bacterial species community composition and structure between MPs and water samples were analyzed. Results show that MPs (13.71±3.32 items/L) in the samples were mostly black in color, fiber in shape, and PES in composition, and those <0.5 mm in size are dominant. The bacterial composition in water was different from that on MPs. At phylum level, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were dominated in relative abundance in both water and MPs. Proteobacteria was more abundant in MPs than in water. The relative abundance of Bacteroidota and Actinobacteriota was significantly lower in MPs than in water. At genus level, Pantoea and Pseudomonas were potentially pathogenic genera in MPs surfaces. The presence of Cyanobacteria and pathogenic bacteria is undoubtedly a potential risk to the deterioration of the water quality. This study revealed the difference in the distribution of bacterial community in water and MPs in Dongting Lake and provided new perspectives to further understanding of MPs pollution in freshwater lakes.Keywords：freshwater;microplastic (MP);microbial community;ecological risk5|0|0Updated：2025-03-21
Biofilm on micro- and nano-plastics
- Abstract：Marine pollution poses a critical threat to biodiversity. The synergistic effects of microplastics, specifically high-density polyethylene (HDPE), combined with benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and heavy metals, on the physiology and feeding behavior of the seahorse, Hippocampus erectus were studied. The growth parameters, pollutant bioaccumulation, enzymatic response, and feeding dynamics were extensively analyzed. Seahorses exposed to microplastics-borne B[a]P and heavy metals exhibited notable reductions in body length and weight, as well as in survival rates, indicating severe stress from these contaminants. The accumulation of pollutant particularly B[a]P in seahorse exceeded China’s national regulatory limit of 5 μg/kg, and the B[a]P accumulation in seahorses was obviously aided by HDPE microplastics, posing a risk to marine organisms and human health via the food chain. The adaptive response of the seahorses was evident shown in the elevation of antioxidant enzyme activities, which is a biological mechanism to mitigate oxidative stress induced by the pollutants. However, this physiological adaptation comes at a cost, as evidenced by marked changes in the feeding behavior. Results show that the efficiency and frequency of feeding were greatly reduced, indicating a heavy impact on the ecological role and survival of this marine creature in polluted habitats. This research offers a crucial perspective on the compound threats of microplastics and associated pollutants in marine ecosystems. It highlights the urgent need develop comprehensive strategies to address these environmental issues. The findings are an important contribution to ecotoxicology, providing a deeper understanding of how microplastics act as vectors for other contaminants and their profound effects on marine life, especially species like seahorses. This study calls for action to strengthen environmental policies and practices aimed at mitigating the impact of marine pollution.Keywords：microplastics (MP);heavy metal;benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P);seahorse;synergistic effect18|7|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Penaeus vannamei, known as the whiteleg shrimp, holds significant economic importance in aquaculture. The intensive culture of P. vannamei poses substantial environmental risks, particularly in fragile ecosystems like estuarine mangroves. Although there is a consensus on the pollution and harmful effects of microplastics (MPs), study on the pollution and potential risks posed by P. vannamei in estuary mangroves remains scarce. Therefore, the extent of microplastic pollution was evaluated and the correlation between the properties of MPs and the potential risks they pose to P. vannamei was examined. The average MP abundance in P. vannamei from Jiulong River estuary was determined to be 0.46±0.03 n/g in five different polymers, i.e., polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC). The total percentage of PS, PE, and PET polymers was the greatest (73.85%), where PET and PP (26.16%) were highly correlated in size and shape. Small MPs (1–200 μm) come in irregular particles, fragments, films, and large-sized MPs (200–1 000 μm) were mainly foam-shaped. The hazard risk level of MPs in P. vannamei from Jiulong River estuary reached grade Ⅲ, and the overall hazard risk index (H) value was 593.66. Among all samples, PVC polymer accounted for the lowest proportion (5.52%), but the H value was as high as 582.42, which contributed 98.11% to the overall hazard risk index. Regardless of global or Chinese, the microplastic pollution of P. vannamei in the estuary is at a moderate level. The protocol for MPs characteristics and correlation in seafood should be the basis for the risk assessment framework. Further studies are needed to evaluate how the exposure to MPs poses a risk for human health.Keywords：microplastic (MP);Penaeus vannamei;hazard risk;seafood safety;pollution;Jiulong River estuary8|0|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Microplastics (MPs), particularly polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC MPs) have become a notable environmental pollutant that affect various marine organisms such as Pinctada fucata martensii. As filter feeders, these bivalves consume significant volumes of water containing MPs, leading to contact with and ingestion of MPs. Moreover, given the ecological and economic importance of P. f. martensii in artificial pearl production, investigating the effects of PVC MPs exposure is crucial. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PVC MPs exposure on nucleus retention, pearl formation, oxidative stress by examining superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) of P. f. martensii, while also exploring transcriptomic changes at different concentrations and exposure time points, including a recovery period. The pearl oysters were exposed to PVC MPs at concentrations of 1-, 2.5-, and 5-mg PVC MPs/L for 10 d followed by 6 d of recovery. After 1-, 4-, 10-d of exposure, and additional 6 d of recovery, samples were taken and analyzed. Findings revealed that only prolonged exposure (10 d) to PVC MPs affected SOD activity, while CAT activity, LPO, and TAOC remained unaffected throughout the experiment. Notably, SOD activity was restored during the 6-d recovery phase. Transcriptome analysis highlighted significant gene alterations linked to various pathways, affecting cellular processes, environmental information processing, genetic information processing, metabolism, and organismal systems, with an increase in pathway-related genes during recovery, implying a potential role of PVC MPs as gene inhibitors. This study provided insights into the effects of PVC MPs on P. f. martensii, shedding light on pearl retention, oxidative systems, and molecular pathways influenced by PVC MPs. Additionally, it contributed novel information on potential MPs exposure biomarkers, particularly relevant to marine organisms like P. f. martensii.Keywords：microplastic (MP);Pinctada fucata martensii;oxidative stress;transcriptome6|0|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Microplastics (MPs) are one of the most concerning pollutants that affects the health and growth of aquatic organisms. We characterized the MPs dispersion in the milli-Q water and seawater, and evaluated the effects of MPs on the gut epithelial cells of brine shrimp using three sizes of polystyrene (PS) microbeads (0.05, 0.5, and 5 μm, respectively). Results show that microbeads evenly dispersed in milli-Q water, but exhibited aggregation tendency in seawater associating with the particle size. Apart from a reduced survival rate, we observed the structure changes in the gut epithelium that the smaller size of PS microbeads resulted in an increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and higher apoptosis-related genes expression. Moreover, exposure to all size of PS microbeads led to increased green fluorescence of J-monomer, indicating the declined mitochondrial membrane potential. Therefore, exposure to PS microbeads led to significantly size-dependent toxicity on brine shrimp. Especially, 0.05-μm PS microbeads were more toxic, leading to severe oxidative stress and activation of the p53-Bax-Bcl2 pathway, ultimately resulting in cellular apoptosis and gut damage. These findings are important to understand the mechanism of MPs toxicity and its potential ecological risks to marine aquatic animals.Keywords：polystyrene microplastic;brine shrimp;gut;oxidative stress;apoptosis-related gene;mitochondrial membrane potential17|2|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Ingestion of microplastics by various organisms has been widely evidenced. Chemicals associated with microplastics (MPs) may be released to digestive tracts upon ingestion. However, the effect of aging and temperature on the chemical desorption for MPs remains poorly understood. The exposure of polyethylene (PE) particles to UV radiation in dry air, tap water, and sea water was conducted to mimic the aging process of MPs in different environments. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as a typical hydrophobic organic contaminant, were preloaded in these aged and pristine PE. The desorption was performed by exposing preloaded PE particles in simulated gastric and gut fluids at 25 °C and 40 °C. After UV aging, the average diameter of PE particles decreased rapidly with aging time, indicating continuously fragmentation of PE under UV exposure. The desorption of PCBs from PE particles under different conditions varied from 7% to 40%, and that from aged PE in gut fluid at 37 °C was significantly higher than those under other conditions (P<0.05). Furthermore, a clear declining trend was observed as lgKow (octanol-water partition coefficient) value increased. The aging process, hydrophobicity of chemicals, and incubation temperature were important factors on the desorption of PCBs from PE. The present study helps understand the desorption of PCBs from microplastics and the potential risks of microplastics ingestion by organisms.Keywords：microplastic (MP);polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB);desorption;simulated gut fluid10|7|0Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Contamination of microplastics (MPs) and their associated plastic additives in the marine environment is a global concern due to their widespread distribution and toxicity to aquatic life. Although polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials are commonly used in aquaculture environments, the potential risks of PVC MPs and the release of their additives in aquatic environments and organisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the leaching behaviors of phthalate esters (PAEs), including the mass and composition of PAEs in PVC MPs and their leaching kinetics, and evaluated the environmental risks of using PVC canvas in aquaculture activities. It was found that diethyl phthalate (DEP) was the most dominant PAE compound leached from PVC MPs (44.70±7.87 ng/g), followed by dimethyl phthalate (DMP, 24.40±1.56 ng/g). The Elovich model was applied to simulate the leaching kinetics, and the simulated curves showed similar logarithmic trends that PAEs rapidly migrated from MPs to the water column at first and followed by a gradual increase over time. The different leaching kinetics of PAEs can be explained by their chemical properties, such as water solubility, molecular weight, and octanol-water partition coefficient. Compounds with lower solubility showed higher leaching coefficients, which are the constants of different PAEs in Elovich equation. Considering the potential joint toxicity of PVC leachates and the importance of food security, it is recommended to use PVC products responsibly and manage plastic waste properly.Keywords：phthalate ester;polyvinyl chloride;additive;leaching kinetic9|1|1Updated：2025-03-21
- Abstract：Microplastics (MPs) have garnered significant international scrutiny as an emerging environmental pollutant, constituting one of the four principal global environmental threats and posing potential health hazards to humans. However, data on the impact of MPs on the early life of the commercially important fish remain limited. In this study, polystyrene microspheres (PS-MPs) (1 and 5 μm) were used to investigate the effects of MPs on the growth, development, and metabolism in early life stages of large yellow croaker Pseudosciaena crocea. Results indicate that MPs were enriched in the gastrointestinal tract and gills of the fish. In addition, PS-MPs (1 μm) exhibited no obvious effects on embryo hatching and heart rates, while increased the mortality rate (23.00% vs. control 14.99%) and decreased the body length (4 098.61±447.03 μm vs. control with 2 827.04±254.75 μm) of the larvae at the highest exposure concentration (5×104 items/L). Metabolomics analysis revealed that PS-MPs (5 μm) induced mild perturbations in phospholipid metabolism, specifically alterations in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) levels. These changes influenced the cell membranes of juvenile fish, and consequently elicited inflammatory responses, disrupted lipid homeostasis, and affected other critical physiological processes. Ultimately, these effects may avoid the growth retardation and potential mortality. Therefore, PS-MPs could affect negatively the fish health in the early life stage, which has implications for aquatic ecosystems.Keywords：polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP);early life stage;Pseudosciaena crocea;large yellow croaker;development;metabolomic3|3|0Updated：2025-03-21
Ecotoxicological implications for micro- and nano-plastics
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