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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Accumulation and Distribution of Fluorescent Microplastics in the Early Life Stages of Zebrafish
Published on: July 4, 2021
Interplay of microplastics and bioturbation on atrazine dynamics in aquaculture sediments
Bokang Liu1, Yifan Jiang1, Rongrong Zhang1
1State Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, PR China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology (Ningbo University), Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, PR China.
Abstract:
Tidal flats are increasingly polluted by pesticides and microplastics (MPs). Bioturbation by benthic organisms shapes sedimentary processes and contaminant fate, yet its combined effects with MPs on pollutants like atrazine (ATZ) remain unclear. This study investigated ATZ migration, transformation, and bioaccumulation in sediments simulating Sinonovacula constricta aquaculture under bioturbation and exposure to virgin or aged polystyrene MPs. Results showed that bioturbation facilitated vertical ATZ migration. MPs adsorbed ATZ, with aging enhancing adsorption, thereby suppressing ATZ release into overlying water and promoting sediment retention. Under combined exposure, MPs adsorption-inhibition outweighed bioturbation's transport promotion. ATZ mainly transformed to hydroxyatrazine, with enhanced degradation in surface layers under both influences. Notably, aged MPs significantly increased ATZ and metabolite accumulation in Sinonovacula constricta, indicating potential higher ecological risks. This study highlights the complex interplay between MPs and bioturbation in shaping herbicide fate in coastal sediments, providing insights for risk assessment and management of combined pollution in aquaculture ecosystems.
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