In-depth characterization revealed polymer type and chemical content specific effects of microplastic on Dreissena bugensis

Title data

Brehm, Julian ; Wilde, Magdalena V. ; Reiche, Lukas ; Leitner, Lisa-Cathrin ; Petran, Benedict ; Meinhart, Marcel ; Wieland, Simon ; Ritschar, Sven ; Schott, Matthias ; Boos, Jan-Pascal ; Frei, Sven ; Kress, Holger ; Senker, Jürgen ; Greiner, Andreas ; Fröhlich, Thomas ; Laforsch, Christian:
In-depth characterization revealed polymer type and chemical content specific effects of microplastic on Dreissena bugensis.
In: Journal of Hazardous Materials. Vol. 437 (2022) . - 129351.
ISSN 0304-3894
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129351

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

In aquatic ecosystems, filter feeders like mussels are particularly vulnerable to microplastics (MP). However, little is known about how the polymer type and the associated properties (like additives or remaining monomers) of MP impact organisms, as the predominant type of MP used for effect studies on the organismic level are micron grade polystyrene spheres, without considering their chemical composition. Therefore, we exposed the freshwater mussel Dreissena bugensis (D. bugensis) to in-depth characterized fragments in the same concentration and size range (20–120 µm): recycled polyethylene terephthalate from drinking bottles, polyamide, polystyrene, polylactic acid, and mussel shell fragments as natural particle control. Real-time valvometry, used to study behavioral responses via the movement of the mussels’ valves, showed that mussels cannot distinguish between natural and MP particles, and therefore do not cease their filtration, as when exposed to dissolved pollutants. This unintentional ingestion led to polymer type-dependent adverse effects (activity of antioxidant enzymes and proteomic alterations), related to chemicals and residual monomers found in MP. Overall, recycled PET elicited the strongest negative effects, likely caused by anthranilamide, anthranilonitrile and butylated hydroxytoluene, contained in the fragments, which are toxic to aquatic organisms. As PET is among the most abundant MP in the environment, sublethal effects may gradually manifest at the population level, leading to irreversible ecosystem changes.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Keywords:	Real-time valvometry; Filter feeders; Proteomics; PET drinking bottles; In-depth characterization
Institutions of the University:	Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics > Professor Experimental Physics VI - Biologial Physics Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics > Professor Experimental Physics VI - Biologial Physics > Professor Experimental Physics VI - Biologial Physics - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Holger Kreß Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Biology Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Biology > Chair Animal Ecology I Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Biology > Chair Animal Ecology I > Chair Animal Ecology I - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christian Laforsch Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Chemistry Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Chemistry > Chair Inorganic Chemistry III Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Chemistry > Chair Inorganic Chemistry III > Chair Inorganic Chemistry III - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jürgen Senker Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Chemistry > Chair Macromolecular Chemistry II Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Chemistry > Chair Macromolecular Chemistry II > Chair Macromolecular Chemistry II - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Andreas Greiner Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Earth Sciences Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Earth Sciences > Chair Hydrology Profile Fields Research Institutions Research Institutions > Collaborative Research Centers, Research Unit Research Institutions > Collaborative Research Centers, Research Unit > SFB 1357 - MIKROPLASTIK
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	500 Science > 530 Physics 500 Science > 550 Earth sciences, geology 500 Science > 570 Life sciences, biology
Date Deposited:	21 Jun 2022 06:11
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2023 12:42
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/70130