Multi-generation exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics showed no major adverse effects in Daphnia magna

Long-term impacts of plastics exposure to organisms, especially to the smallest plastics fraction, nanoplastics (NPs; ≤1 μm), are yet to be fully understood. The data concerning multiple generations are especially rare - an exposure scenario that is the most relevant from the standpoint of environmental reality aspect. Using Pd-doped 200 nm polystyrene NPs, which allowed for quantification of NPs in trace concentrations, the aim of the study was to evaluate the multigenerational impact of NPs for the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna. Four consecutive 21-day exposures involving F0-F3 generations of D. magna were conducted according to OECD211. NPs impact (at 0.1 mg/L and 1 mg/L) was assessed in parallel to a comparative particle mesoporous SiO₂ of similar size and shape (at 1 mg/L) to deconvolute impacts of variable particle chemistry. D. magna mortality, reproductive endpoints, body length (adults and offspring) and lipid content (offspring) were assessed upon NPs and SiO₂ exposures. NPs association with adults and offspring was quantified by ICP-MS through the NPs Pd-dopant. The results showed no NPs impact on D. magna at 0.1 mg/L. At 1 mg NPs/L, the only statistically significant effect on adult organisms was increased fertility in the F3 generation. Conversely, SiO₂ induced 80% mortality in F3 adult D. magna and the survived adults were significantly smaller and less fertile than those of other treatments. Both particles induced decreased size and lipid content in F3 offspring. The average NPs body burdens (ng NPs/mg D. magna dwt) for the adult and offspring D. magna were 105 ± 12 and 823 ± 440, respectively at 0.1 mg/L exposure and 503 ± 176 and 621 ± 235, respectively at 1 mg/L exposure. Finally, the results of this study add to the previous findings showing that multi-generation exposure to synthetic nano-sized particles of different chemistries may disturb the energy balance of D. magna.