Toxicity evaluation of polypropylene microplastic on marine microcrustacean Artemia salina: An analysis of implications and vulnerability

Polypropylene microplastic particles are one of the predominant pollutants in marine ecosystems and their toxic effects are unknown in aquatic biota. The study aims to prepare the spherical shaped polypropylene microplastics (size range 11.86 mu m-44.62 mu m) and assess their toxic effects (1, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mu g/mL) in various life stages (nauplii, metanauplii and juvenile) of marine microcrustacean Artemia salina within 48 h. In addition, micro plastics ingestion by Artemia nauplii was proved by FTIR analysis. The results revealed, microplastics accumulation in their tract leads to change in their homeostasis, as followed increase in the oxidative burst causes mortality in nauplii (LC50 40.947 mu g/mL) and meta nauplii (LC50 51.954 mu g/mL). In juvenile, swimming behaviour was changed. Moreover, microplastic consumption disturbs the antioxidant biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione -S-Transferase (GST) and reduces the neurotransmitter enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. In addition, histology of juvenile Artemia showed damage in epithelial cells. This study indicates that exposure to polypropylene microplastics is more harmful to zooplanktonic organisms of the marine ecosystem.

Automated summary

Polypropylene microplastic particles are a major pollutant in marine ecosystems, and their toxic effects on aquatic organisms are still unknown. In this study, spherical polypropylene microplastics were prepared and their toxic effects on different life stages of marine microcrustacean Artemia salina were assessed. The results showed that the accumulation of microplastics in the organism led to changes in homeostasis, increased oxidative burst, and mortality in nauplii and metanauplii. In addition, the swimming behavior of juvenile Artemia was changed and the consumption of microplastics disrupted antioxidant biomarkers and the activity of acetylcholinesterase. Histological damage was also observed in the epithelial cells of juvenile Artemia. This study suggests that exposure to polypropylene microplastics is more harmful to zooplanktonic organisms in the marine ecosystem.