Polystyrene nanoplastics in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

In Vitro Toxicity and Modeling Reveal Nanoplastic Effects on Marine Bivalves

“…Previous research suggests that doping PS with Pd for NP preparation does not affect the surface properties of PS NPs. Moreover, Pd doping onto the core structure, synthesized from acrylonitrile, shows exceptional stability in sediments, plants, and animals, rendering it suitable for quantitative NP research. ,, Meanwhile, fluorescently labeled PS-NH 2 NPs are effectively utilized for mapping their distribution within the tissues and cells of bivalves . Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) depicted that both types of NPs were spherical in shape.…”

“…The impact of NPs on bivalves were first evaluated to establish a baseline understanding of the physiological toxicity and growth inhibition induced by NPs at the tissue level. This evaluation included examining a range of indicators, including morphological alterations, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, ROS levels, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and genotoxic damage. , Meanwhile, hemocytes, which are vital to immune defense and function in both cellular and humoral responses, have emerged as crucial cellular sentinels for environmental monitoring, making them reliable predictors of bivalve toxicity. , They have also become a potent in vitro model for evaluating nanoparticle cytotoxicity. , Additionally, we employ a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to predict internal concentrations of NPs and their toxic effects at the organismal level. This modeling approach, combined with toxicokinetic and growth models, facilitates a comparison of in vitro and in vivo exposure scenarios.…”

Impact of face masks weathering on the mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis

“…The vibration of functional groups [Figure 2] confirmed the polypropylene composition of the disposable surgical face masks, whose breakdown mainly occurs in the marine environment through photo-and thermo-oxidative degradation [53] . It is hypothesised that the application of used face masks in the present assessment, with different times of utilisation, contributed to contamination of the mask leachate with coloured fibres other than blue and transparent-white [54] , potentially from the entrapment of MPs and NPs suspended in the air, or from tissues or clothing which may be accountable for the broader burden of MPs and NPs amount released in the leachate [13,16] . Furthermore, when MPs and NPs are present in seawater, they tend to aggregate [55] .…”

“…Beyond the physical stress carried out by micro and nano-sized fibres and particles, weathering and deterioration of the face masks are also accountable for contributing to the input of chemical additives in the environment, such as dye compounds, fragrances, and antiviral and antibacterial agents [73] . Sullivan et al addressed the release of leachable inorganic and organic substances from the blue DFMs (like those used herein), namely metals, plastic additives, polyamide-66 monomer and oligomers (nylon-66 synthesis), surfactant molecules, dye-like molecules and polyethylene glycol [54] . These chemicals could have been released and then taken up by mussels in the present case, although further chemical confirmation is required.…”

Microplastics in Mediterranean Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: Comparison between Cultured and WildType Mussels from the Northern Adriatic

“…Moreover, it has been demonstrated that mussels are prone to the ingestion of MPs and smaller nanoplastics in their gut. This may lead to the accumulation of plastic items smaller than 10 mm in the digestive gland or in the hemolymph [7,[52][53][54][55]. In a study conducted by Kolandhasamy et al [56], microfibers were identified in the foot and mantle of mussels, with adherence accounting for approximately 50% of the MP uptake in mussels.…”