Uptake, tissue distribution, and toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Plastic pollution is a critical environmental concern and comprises the majority of anthropogenic debris in the ocean, including macro, micro, and likely nanoscale (less than 100nm in at least one dimension) plastic particles. While the toxicity of macroplastics and microplastics is relatively well studied, the toxicity of nanoplastics is largely uncharacterized. Here, fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) were used to investigate the potential toxicity of nanoplastics in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio), as well as to characterize the uptake and distribution of the particles within embryos and larvae. Zebrafish embryos at 6h post-fertilization (hpf) were exposed to PS NPs (0.1, 1, or 10ppm) until 120 hpf. Our results demonstrate that PS NPs accumulated in the yolk sac as early as 24 hpf and migrated to the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, heart, and brain throughout development (48-120 hpf). Accumulation of PS NPs decreased during the depuration phase (120-168 hpf) in all organs, but at a slower rate in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. Notably, exposure to PS NPs did not induce significant mortality, deformities, or changes to mitochondrial bioenergetics, but did decrease the heart rate. Lastly, exposure to PS NPs altered larval behavior as evidenced by swimming hypoactivity in exposed larvae. Taken together, these data suggest that at least some nanoplastics can penetrate the chorion of developing zebrafish, accumulate in the tissues, and affect physiology and behavior, potentially affecting organismal fitness in contaminated aquatic ecosystems.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Pitt, JA; Kozal, JS; Jayasundara, N; Massarsky, A; Trevisan, R; Geitner, N; Wiesner, M; Levin, ED; Di Giulio, RT
Published Date
- January 2018
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 194 /
Start / End Page
- 185 - 194
PubMed ID
- 29197232
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC6959514
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1879-1514
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.11.017
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- Netherlands