Abstract:
In aquatic environments the concurrent exposure of molluscs to microplastics (MPs) and estrogens is common, as these pollutants are frequently released by wastewater treatment plants into estuaries. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the independent and co-exposure impacts of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EEDCs) at environmentally relevant concentrations on polar metabolites and morphological parameters of the Sydney rock oyster. A seven-day acute exposure revealed no discernible differences in morphology; however, significant variations in polar metabolites were observed across oyster tissues. The altered metabolites were mostly amino acids, carbohydrates and intermediates of the Kreb\'s cycle. The perturbation of metabolites were tissue and sex-specific. All treatments generally showed an increase of metabolites relative to controls - a possible stimulatory and/or a potential hormetic response. The presence of MPs impeded the exposure of adsorbed and free EEDCs potentially due to the selective feeding behaviour of oysters to microplastics, favouring algae over similar-sized PE-MPs, and the formation of an eco/bio-corona involving faeces, pseudo-faeces, natural organic matter, and algae.
摘要:
在水生环境中,软体动物同时暴露于微塑料(MPs)和雌激素是常见的,因为这些污染物经常被废水处理厂释放到河口中。因此,这项研究旨在评估聚乙烯微塑料(PE-MPs)和雌激素内分泌干扰化学物质(EEDCs)在环境相关浓度下对悉尼岩牡蛎的极性代谢物和形态参数的独立和共同暴露影响。7天的急性暴露显示形态没有明显差异;然而,在牡蛎组织中观察到极性代谢物的显着变化。改变的代谢物主要是氨基酸,碳水化合物和克雷布循环的中间体。代谢物的扰动是组织和性别特异性的。所有处理通常显示相对于对照的代谢物增加-可能的刺激和/或潜在的刺激反应。MP的存在阻碍了吸附和游离的EEDC的暴露,这可能是由于牡蛎对微塑料的选择性喂养行为,比类似大小的PE-MP更偏爱藻类,以及涉及粪便的生态/生物电晕的形成,假粪便,天然有机物,和藻类。