What Is the Impact of Microplastics and Lipid Regulators on Marine Meiofauna? Case Study of Polyvinyl Chloride, Atorvastatin, and Simvastatin

Abstract

A microcosm experiment was carried out to provide a deeper insight into the toxic mechanisms exerted by two lipid regulator agents, as well as their interactions with the polyvinyl chloride microplastic on marine meiofauna. Two concentrations of Atorvastatin “A” and of Simvastatin “S”, (i.e., 0.6 mg.kg−1 and 6 mg.kg−1), as well as a single dosage of polyvinyl chloride microplastics “P” at 20 mg.kg−1, separately and their combined mixtures (“AP” and “SP”) were used on coastline dwelling marine meiofauna, with a main focus on nematodes. The results showed a significant reduction in meiofauna abundance in treatments compared to control. SIMPER analysis highlighted a significant decrease in the abundance of epigrowth feeders (2A), which possess conical (co) tails, and indistinct (id) amphideal foveas compared to control microcosms, reflected mainly in the decrease in abundance of the species Prochromadorella longicaudata. Furthermore, the contamination with microplastic affected only the omnivores-carnivores guild. Another finding of the current experiment is that the mixtures of microplastic with drugs lead to synergic interactions that increased their toxic effects on marine nematode communities.

Short-term microplastic effects on marine meiofauna abundance, diversity and community composition

“…Otherwise, at the highest MP concentration, there would also have been significant reductions in meiofauna abundance. Other previous studies reported decreased meiofauna densities in the presence of higher microplastic concentrations ( Allouche et al, 2022 ; Allouche et al, 2021 ; Hedfi et al, 2022 ). It is important to note, though, that the plastic polymers and sizes used in previous studies were different from the ones investigated here (PVC, <40 µm).…”

“…To date, studies on the effects of MP on meiofauna have predominantly focused on nematodes, the predominant taxonomic group among the meiofauna, but only few of these have investigated community structure and diversity ( Allouche et al, 2022 ; Allouche et al, 2021 ; Wakkaf et al, 2020 ). Even though only a few studies have examined the differential effects of microplastics (MP) on various meiofauna groups, such analysis is crucial.…”

Marine Free-Living Nematodes as Tools for Environmental Pollution Assessment: A Special Focus on Emerging Contaminants Impact in the Tunisian Lagoon Ecosystems

“…A significant decrease in epigrowth feeders (2A) abundance, which possesses conical (co) tails, and indistinct (id) amphideal foveas, reflected mainly in the decrease in abundance of the species Prochromadorella longicaudata. The exposure to microplastic affected only the omnivores-carnivores guild, while, the mixtures with drugs lead to synergic interactions that increased their toxic effects on marine nematode communities (Table 2) [63].…”