Microplastics and 17α Ethinylestradiol: How Do Different Aquatic Invertebrates Respond to This Combination of Contaminants?
Caio Rodrigues Nobre,
Beatriz Barbosa Moreno,
Aline Vecchio Alves,
Mayana Karoline Fontes,
Bruno Galvão de Campos,
Leticia Fernanda da Silva,
Luciane Alves Maranho,
Luís Felipe de Almeida Duarte,
Denis Moledo de Souza Abessa,
Rodrigo Brasil Choueri,
Paloma Kachel Gusso-Choueri,
Camilo Dias Seabra Pereira
Affiliations
Caio Rodrigues Nobre
Department of Marine Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos Campus (UNIFESP—Santos), Rua Maria Máximo, 168, Santos 11030-100, Brazil
Beatriz Barbosa Moreno
Department of Marine Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos Campus (UNIFESP—Santos), Rua Maria Máximo, 168, Santos 11030-100, Brazil
Aline Vecchio Alves
Department of Marine Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos Campus (UNIFESP—Santos), Rua Maria Máximo, 168, Santos 11030-100, Brazil
Mayana Karoline Fontes
Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Litoral Paulista Campus, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, Parque Bitaru, São Vicente 11330-900, Brazil
Bruno Galvão de Campos
Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Litoral Paulista Campus, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, Parque Bitaru, São Vicente 11330-900, Brazil
Leticia Fernanda da Silva
Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Litoral Paulista Campus, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, Parque Bitaru, São Vicente 11330-900, Brazil
Luciane Alves Maranho
Morphofunctional Laboratory, University of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP), Avenida Dom Pedro I, 3.300, Guarujá 11440-003, Brazil
Luís Felipe de Almeida Duarte
Department of Ecotoxicology, Santa Cecília University (UNISANTA), Rua Oswaldo Cruz, 266, Santos 11045-907, Brazil
Denis Moledo de Souza Abessa
Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Litoral Paulista Campus, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, Parque Bitaru, São Vicente 11330-900, Brazil
Rodrigo Brasil Choueri
Department of Marine Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos Campus (UNIFESP—Santos), Rua Maria Máximo, 168, Santos 11030-100, Brazil
Paloma Kachel Gusso-Choueri
Department of Ecotoxicology, Santa Cecília University (UNISANTA), Rua Oswaldo Cruz, 266, Santos 11045-907, Brazil
Camilo Dias Seabra Pereira
Department of Marine Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos Campus (UNIFESP—Santos), Rua Maria Máximo, 168, Santos 11030-100, Brazil
The synthetic hormone 17α ethinyl estradiol (EE2) is a molecule widely used in female contraceptives and recognized as a contaminant of attention (Watch List) in the European Union due to its high consumption, endocrine effects and occurrence in aquatic environments. Its main source of introduction is domestic sewage where it can be associated with other contaminants such as microplastics (MPs). Due to their characteristics, they can combine with each other and exacerbate their isolated effects on biota. This study evaluated the combined effects of microplastics (MPs) and 17α ethinylestradiol (EE2) on two tropical estuarine invertebrate species: Crassostrea gasar and Ucides cordatus. Polyethylene particles were spiked with EE2 and organisms were exposed to three treatments, categorized into three groups: control group (C), virgin microplastics (MPs), and spiked microplastics with EE2 (MPEs). All treatments were evaluated after 3 and 7 days of exposure. Oysters exhibited changes in phase 2 enzymes and the antioxidant system, oxidative stress in the gills, and reduced lysosomal membrane stability after exposure to MPs and MPEs. Crabs exposed to MPs and MPEs after seven days showed changes in phase 1 enzymes in the gills and changes in phases 1 and 2 enzymes in the hepatopancreas, such as disturbed cellular health. The combined effects of microplastics and EE2 increased the toxicity experienced by organisms, which may trigger effects at higher levels of biological organization, leading to ecological disturbances in tropical coastal ecosystems.