Life in plastic, it's not fantastic: Sublethal effects of polyethylene microplastics ingestion throughout amphibian metamorphosis

Ruthsatz, Katharina; Schwarz, Anja; Gómez-Mestre, Iván; Meyer, Ruth; Domscheit, Marie; Bartels, Fabian; Schaeffer, Sarah-Maria; Engelkes, Karolin

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163779

Cited by 18 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…We chose amphibian larvae as our biotic study subjects due to their ecological sensitivity, crucial role in food webs, and their potential to serve as vectors of microplastics into terrestrial ecosystems [ 38 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, once ingested, the microplastics were documented to undergo changes like breaking down into smaller pieces [ 37 ]. Lastly, given that frogs have been experimentally observed to retain microplastics throughout metamorphosis [ 38 ], a comparative analysis of the MP characteristics between larvae, sediment, and water can aid in modeling microplastics’ transportation and fate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Similarity of Microplastic Characteristics between Amphibian Larvae and Their Aquatic Environment

Szkudlarek,

Najbar,

Jankowiak

2024

Animals

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Microplastics, pervasive environmental pollutants, are found across various ecosystems, including small inland water bodies. They are reported in different environmental media, yet little is known about the mutual relationships of microplastics’ properties across components of small inland water bodies. Here, having extracted and analyzed these particles from water, sediment, and amphibian larvae from 23 sites, we test within-site similarities regarding shape (morphological type), color, and chemical composition (polymer type). We also provide a brief characterization of the microplastics extracted from water and sediment regarding these parameters. We observed a statistically significant similarity of microplastics’ shapes and colors between those extracted from water and amphibian larvae. Such a similarity, though less pronounced, was also found between amphibian larvae and sediment. However, the chemical composition (polymer type) of the microplastics from water, sediment, and amphibian larvae did not exhibit any similarities beyond what would be expected by chance. The observed congruence in the colors and shapes of microplastics between amphibian larvae and their corresponding aquatic habitats underscores the profound interconnectedness among the constituents of freshwater ecosystems.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Similarity of Microplastic Characteristics between Amphibian Larvae and Their Aquatic Environment

Szkudlarek,

Najbar,

Jankowiak

2024

Animals

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“…This is because, if ingested with a natural food source, microplastics act as artificial fibers that reduce food quality by decreasing nutrients and energy, with possible impacts on growth and development. Ruthsatz and coworkers [ 92 , 93 ] showed, in the same species, that the embryonal gut length and mass increased in response to microplastic ingestion, indicating that MPs induced digestive plasticity—it is likely that they fully compensated for the low nutrient and energy density by developing longer intestines. In 2023, Ruthsatz et al [ 94 ] showed that MP ingestion resulted in sublethal effects on embryo growth, development and metabolism and led to allometric carryover effects on juvenile morphology, accumulated in the specimens at all life stages.…”

Section: Xenopus In Environmental Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Xenopus laevis (Daudin, 1802) as a Model Organism for Bioscience: A Historic Review and Perspective

Carotenuto

Pallotta

Tussellino

et al. 2023

Biology

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In vitro systems have been mainly promoted by authorities to sustain research by following the 3Rs principle, but continuously increasing amounts of evidence point out that in vivo experimentation is also of extreme relevance. Xenopus laevis, an anuran amphibian, is a significant model organism in the study of evolutionary developmental biology, toxicology, ethology, neurobiology, endocrinology, immunology and tumor biology; thanks to the recent development of genome editing, it has also acquired a relevant position in the field of genetics. For these reasons, X. laevis appears to be a powerful and alternative model to the zebrafish for environmental and biomedical studies. Its life cycle, as well as the possibility to obtain gametes from adults during the whole year and embryos by in vitro fertilization, allows experimental studies of several biological endpoints, such as gametogenesis, embryogenesis, larval growth, metamorphosis and, of course, the young and adult stages. Moreover, with respect to alternative invertebrate and even vertebrate animal models, the X. laevis genome displays a higher degree of similarity with that of mammals. Here, we have reviewed the main available literature on the use of X. laevis in the biosciences and, inspired by Feymann’s revised view, “Plenty of room for biology at the bottom,” suggest that X. laevis is a very useful model for all possible studies.

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“…Among those effects, mortality is not a commonly observed effect of MP ingestion, presuming low risk at environmentally realistic concentrations [19]. However, sublethal effects have been described to include altered swimming behavior (Daphnia magna, [20]), development (Xenopus laevis, [21]), innate immune function (Pimephales promelas, [22]), liver inflammation (Danio rerio, [23]), effects on reproduction (D. magna, [24]), and growth (Chironomus tepperi, [25]). Thus, there can be indirect and potentially high risks at the population level.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polystyrene Plastic Particles Result in Adverse Outcomes for Hyalella azteca When Exposed at Elevated Temperatures

Biefel,

Brander,

Connon

et al. 2024

Water

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Micro- and nano-plastics are pervasive pollutants in global ecosystems, yet their interactions with aquatic wildlife and abiotic factors are poorly understood. These particles are recognized to cause subtle detrimental effects, underscoring the necessity for sensitive endpoints in ecotoxicological exposure studies. We investigated the effects of particle uptake, size, and temperature on Hyalella azteca. Organisms were exposed to blue fluorescent polystyrene beads (500 nm and 1000 nm in diameter) at 0.43 mg/L for 96 h at temperatures mirroring climate predictions (21 °C, 24 °C, 27 °C). Besides survival and growth, particle uptake, visualized via confocal microscopy, and swimming behavior were analyzed. Mortality rates increased at 27 °C, and particle presence and temperature affected organism growth. Particle treatments influenced various behaviors (thigmotaxis, cruising, movement, acceleration, meander, zone alternation, and turn angle), with hypoactivity observed with 1000 nm particles and hypo- as well as hyper-activity responses with 500 nm particles. Particle uptake quantities were variable and increased with temperature in 500 nm treatments, but no migration beyond the gut was observed. Particle size correlated with uptake, and relationships with behavior were evident. Elevated temperatures exacerbated particle effects, highlighting the urgency of addressing plastic pollution in light of climate change for aquatic organism welfare and ecosystem health.

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Life in plastic, it's not fantastic: Sublethal effects of polyethylene microplastics ingestion throughout amphibian metamorphosis

Cited by 18 publications

References 94 publications

Similarity of Microplastic Characteristics between Amphibian Larvae and Their Aquatic Environment

Similarity of Microplastic Characteristics between Amphibian Larvae and Their Aquatic Environment

Xenopus laevis (Daudin, 1802) as a Model Organism for Bioscience: A Historic Review and Perspective

Polystyrene Plastic Particles Result in Adverse Outcomes for Hyalella azteca When Exposed at Elevated Temperatures

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