Chironomus sp. as a Bioindicator for Assessing Microplastic Contamination and the Heavy Metals Associated with It in the Sediment of Wastewater in Sohag Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

The consequences of plastic waste pollution have imposed wide global concerns. One of these consequences is the production of micro- and nanosized particles (MNPLs) from aged plastics. The problem of MNPLs is magnified by their potential to transport various contaminants due to their large surface area and other variable physiochemical properties. From this point on, it is important to know the real concentration of MNPLs in our environment and their potential to internalize wild organisms as well as transfer contaminants that are completely highlighted. As a result, our study is the first to detect MP pollution in the upper Egypt wastewater environment. It could be utilized as a baseline to estimate MP wastes and develop management techniques, particularly in Sohag Governorate. The concentration and characterization of MPs in sludge, water, Chironomus sp. larvae, and their tubes were studied in this work. Chironomus sp. is a reliable bioindicator prevalent in such contaminated environments, and it was used to demonstrate how MPs invade biological barriers. Our results found that red and blue polyester fibers are much more prevalent than other polymers, colors, and shapes of MPs. While each dry kilogram of wastewater sludge contains 310 ± 84 particles, this amount is reduced to 1.55 ± 0.7 per liter in the water column. Biologically, the present study succeeded in detecting the MPs inside the wild organism, with concentrations reaching 71 ± 21 and 4.41 ± 1.1 particles per gram wet weight in Chironomus sp. larvae and their tubes (chironomid tubes), respectively. The potential hazard of MPs stems from their propensity to transfer pollutants. At this point, our findings revealed a corresponding and significant concentration of various heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, and Ni) detected in MPs or Chironomus sp. versus sludge. In conclusion, our findings not only proved the presence of MPs in wastewater but also demonstrated their ability to internalize cross-wild organisms, allowing toxins to accumulate inside their bodies, raising concerns about the possible health impacts of plastic pollution.

Interactions between microplastics and Culex sp. larvae in wastewater

“…Polymers of MP particles have been linked to environmental risks (Xu et al, 2018). MPs have been consumed by a variety of taxa, including fish (Lusher et al, 2013), prawns (Daniel et al, 2020), crabs (Watts et al, 2014), mussels (Von Moos et al, 2012), and aquatic insects (Khedre et al, 2023a, 2023b, 2023c). As a result, MPs may represent dangers to organisms as well as human health.…”

Pollution of Freshwater Ecosystems by Microplastics: A Short Review on Degradation, Distribution, and Interaction with Aquatic Biota

“…The concentration of microplastics in living organisms is one of the most important indicators of microplastic pollution and its penetration into our food systems. High concentrations of living organisms, including insects and worms, were reported in South Africa and Egypt [102,103]. The concentrations are around 291 particles per gram of the wet weight of those insects.…”

Can water mites’ parasitism influence the number of microplastics ingested by aquatic insects?

“…Microplastic exposure can have a variety of physiological effects on reproductive success (Ahrendt et al 2020), metabolic changes (Hamed et al 2019), behavior (Rochman et al 2013), growth (Ahrendt et al 2020), and histopathology (Hamed et al 2020). Microplastics have also been demonstrated to collect trace metals and infections (Khdre et al 2023;McCormick et al 2014;Nakashima et al 2012). As a result, the presence of MPs in aquatic ecosystems is thought to act as a conduit for the transfer of diseases, metals, and persistent organic pollutants to higher trophic chains (Gholizadeh and Patimar 2018;McCormick et al 2014).…”