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A Dangerous Couple: Sequential Effect of Phosphorus Flame-Retardant and Polyurethane Decrease Locomotor Activity in
Dora Bjedov1,2, Rone S Barbosa3, Danielle Palma de Oliveira4,5
1Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) & CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal.
Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) and microplastics (PU) individually impacted planarian activity, but physiological responses varied, suggesting energy trade-offs. Combined exposure showed sequential effects on locomotion, not immediate oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Ecotoxicology of freshwater ecosystems
- Pollutant interactions in aquatic environments
Background:
- Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) and microplastics pose emerging threats to aquatic ecosystems.
- Understanding combined pollutant effects is vital for freshwater environmental health.
- Girardia tigrina serves as a model organism for assessing ecotoxicological impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the individual and combined effects of aluminium diethylphosphinate (ALPI) and polyurethane (PU) microplastics on the freshwater planarian Girardia tigrina.
- To assess the impact of these pollutants on planarian locomotor activity, oxidative stress, and metabolic responses.
- To elucidate the physiological and behavioral consequences of simultaneous exposure to OPFRs and microplastics.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of Girardia tigrina to ALPI (10 mg L⁻¹) and PU microplastics (10 μg mg⁻¹ liver) individually and in combination.
- Measurement of locomotor activity to assess behavioral changes.
- Analysis of oxidative stress biomarkers (total glutathione, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, lipid peroxidation).
- Assessment of metabolic responses including cholinesterase activity, electron transport system, and lactate dehydrogenase activity.
Main Results:
- Exposure to both ALPI and PU resulted in a sequential decrease in locomotor activity.
- Oxidative stress biomarkers and most metabolic responses remained unaffected by individual or combined exposures.
- Variations in physiological responses (electron transport system, cholinesterase activity, glutathione S-transferase, catalase, total glutathione, proteins) were observed, indicating potential energetic costs for detoxification and antioxidant defense.
- These energetic costs may lead to reduced energy allocation for planarian activity.
Conclusions:
- Combined exposure to OPFRs and microplastics elicits sequential behavioral changes in planarians.
- While direct oxidative stress was not evident, physiological adjustments suggest energetic trade-offs.
- These findings highlight the complex interactions between chemical pollutants and microplastics in freshwater environments.
- Further research is needed to understand broader ecosystem-level effects and inform mitigation strategies.
