Influence of Particle Size on Ecotoxicity of Low-Density Polyethylene Microplastics, with and without Adsorbed Benzo-a-Pyrene, in Clam <i>Scrobicularia plana</i>
Ana Rita Rodrigues,
Nélia C. C. Mestre,
Tainá Garcia da Fonseca,
Paulo Z. Pedro,
Camilla C. Carteny,
Bettie Cormier,
Steffen Keiter,
Maria João Bebianno
Affiliations
Ana Rita Rodrigues
Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA), Universidade do Algarve, Campus Universitário de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Nélia C. C. Mestre
Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA), Universidade do Algarve, Campus Universitário de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Tainá Garcia da Fonseca
Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA), Universidade do Algarve, Campus Universitário de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Paulo Z. Pedro
Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA), Universidade do Algarve, Campus Universitário de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Camilla C. Carteny
Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
Bettie Cormier
Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, S-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
Steffen Keiter
Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, S-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
Maria João Bebianno
Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA), Universidade do Algarve, Campus Universitário de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
This study investigated the ecotoxicological effects of differently sized (4–6 µm and 20–25 µm) low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics (MPs), with and without adsorbed benzo-a-pyrene (BaP), in clam Scrobicularia plana. Biomarkers of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase—SOD; catalase—CAT), biotransformation (glutathione-S-transferases—GST), oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation—LPO) and neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase—AChE) were analysed in gills and digestive glands at different time intervals for a total of 14 days of exposure. In order to have a better impact perspective of these contaminants, an integrated biomarker response index (IBR) and Health Index were applied. Biomarker alterations are apparently more related to smaller sized (4–6 µm) MPs in gills and to virgin LDPE MPs in the digestive gland according to IBR results, while the digestive gland was more affected by these MPs according to the health index.
