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Published on: July 4, 2021
Intergenerational and biological effects of roxithromycin and polystyrene microplastics to Daphnia magna
Jiaqiang Liu1, Haohan Yang2, Qingjun Meng1
1School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China.
Abstract:
The influence of microplastics (MPs) on transgenerational effects of pharmaceuticals are drawing growing attention, however, whether aged process will alter the carrier effects of MPs were unknown. In this study, the intergenerational toxicity of single and combined exposure of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and roxithromycin (ROX) were investigated at the environmentally related concentrations, using Daphina magna as test organism. In the presence of UV-aged PS-MPs, the survival of D. magna for maternal generation (F0) at ROX concentration of 0.1 and 10 µg/L were increased by 20% and 40%, respectively. Meanwhile, the inhibition effects of ROX on the number of offspring and intrinsic rate of natural increase were obviously moderated. All these reproductive toxicity of ROX and PS-MPs in the first offspring (F1) were further aggravated both for the single and combined exposure. And the adverse effects disappeared much easier for the single exposure compared to the co-exposure through subsequent recovery. The combined exposure resulted in the change of inhibition of ROX on the swimming velocity and acceleration of D. magna into induction, while the feeding behavior kept inhibited. The AChE activity was distinctly increased by 1.61-3.25 times for the single and combined treatments, and the induction level of UV-aged MPs was higher than that of original MPs. Oxidative stress of the single exposure of ROX and original PS-MPs was observed with obvious induction of T-AOC and SOD activity, while the significant increase of MDA content was observed for the co-exposure. Among all indicators, the biochemical biomarkers and time of first brood were attributed to a class among all indicators, indicating that the time of first brood might be the most sensitive reproductive toxicity index. These results illustrated that both maternal impacts and offspring quality need to be considered for assessment of interaction of emerging contaminants.
Insights
UV-aged microplastics (MPs) alter pharmaceutical effects on Daphnia magna, increasing maternal survival but worsening offspring toxicity. Time to first brood emerged as the most sensitive reproductive toxicity indicator.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Ecotoxicology
- Aquatic Toxicology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) and pharmaceuticals are emerging environmental contaminants.
- The transgenerational effects of MPs on pharmaceutical toxicity are not well understood.
- Aging processes may alter MP-pharmaceutical interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intergenerational toxicity of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and roxithromycin (ROX) in Daphnia magna.
- To determine if UV-aging alters the carrier effects of PS-MPs on ROX toxicity.
- To identify sensitive biomarkers for assessing combined contaminant effects.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of Daphnia magna to environmentally relevant concentrations of UV-aged PS-MPs and ROX, individually and combined.
- Assessment of maternal (F0) and first-generation (F1) offspring toxicity, including survival, reproduction, and behavior.
- Analysis of biochemical biomarkers such as Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) content.
Main Results:
- UV-aged PS-MPs increased maternal survival in the presence of ROX but aggravated reproductive toxicity in offspring.
- Combined exposure exacerbated ROX's effects on swimming velocity and feeding behavior.
- AChE activity increased significantly, with higher induction by aged MPs; oxidative stress markers (T-AOC, SOD, MDA) indicated significant impacts, particularly under co-exposure.
- Time to first brood was identified as the most sensitive reproductive toxicity index.
Conclusions:
- UV-aging of MPs modifies their interaction with pharmaceuticals, impacting both maternal and offspring generations.
- Combined exposure of MPs and pharmaceuticals can lead to complex toxicological outcomes.
- Assessing the combined effects of emerging contaminants requires consideration of maternal impacts, offspring quality, and sensitive biomarkers like time to first brood.
