Expanded Polystyrene-Debris-Induced Genotoxic Effect in Littoral Organisms

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Environmental Toxicology
• Ecotoxicology

Background:

• Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a prevalent marine pollutant, particularly in coastal and littoral zones.
• Its use in aquaculture presents risks to marine organisms and ecosystems.
• Understanding EPS ecotoxicity is crucial for environmental risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the biochemical and genotoxic effects of EPS on marine mollusks Mytilus trossulus and Tegula rustica.
• To assess the impact of EPS on oxidative stress biomarkers and DNA integrity.
• To evaluate the ecotoxicological potential of EPS pollution in marine environments.

Main Methods:

• Experimental exposure of Mytilus trossulus and Tegula rustica to EPS at a concentration of 0.024 m²/L.
• Biochemical analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls as oxidative stress markers.
• Measurement of integral antioxidant activity in digestive gland cells.
• Assessment of DNA damage levels using appropriate genotoxicity assays.

Main Results:

• EPS exposure led to increased malondialdehyde levels in both species, indicating lipid peroxidation.
• Integral antioxidant activity decreased significantly in Mytilus trossulus.
• Protein carbonyls increased in Tegula rustica, while remaining unchanged in Mytilus trossulus.
• Significant DNA damage was observed in both species, with Mytilus trossulus showing a 2.5-fold increase and Tegula rustica a 1.5-fold increase.

Conclusions:

• EPS exposure induces oxidative stress and DNA damage in marine mollusks.
• The findings highlight the genotoxic potential of EPS pollution.
• This study underscores the environmental threat posed by EPS debris to marine biodiversity.