Combined effect of microplastic, salinomycin and heating on Unio tumidus

Microplastic (MP) and heating (T) suspected to modulate biological effects of aquatic contaminants. Salinomycin (Sal) is veterinary antibiotic and anticancer agent. The goal of this study was to examine the multistress effect of MP, Sal and T on the bioindicator bivalve mollusc. The Unio tumidus were treated with MP (1 mg L-1), Sal (0.6 mu g L-1), their combination under 18 degrees C (Mix) and 25 degrees C (MixT) for 14 days. The digestive glands were analyzed. MP and Sal did not cause changes of Mn-and Cu,Zn-SOD, lipid peroxidation and Cyp-450-depended EROD levels, whereas catalase, GST and protein carbonyls (Sal-group) increased compared to control. In the Mix-group, en-zymes, particularly EROD and GST (by 34% and 115% respectively) were up-regulated. However, in the MixT-group, they were corresponding to control or lesser (EROD, catalase). Our findings emphasize the need to take into account multistress interactions in the MP environmental risk assessment.

Automated summary

The study aimed to investigate the multistress effect of microplastic, salinomycin, and temperature on a bioindicator bivalve mollusk. The results showed that microplastic and salinomycin had limited effects on certain enzymes, but increased catalase, GST, and protein carbonyls. The findings highlight the importance of considering multistress interactions in the assessment of environmental risks posed by microplastics.