Study on the toxic effect of seawater-aged microplastics on Philippine curtain clams
Abstract This study delved into the impact of aging on the properties of five common microplastic types, including polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). The aging process significantly altered the particle size distribut...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02823-0 |
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| author | Liqing Zeng Hui Yang Tong Tong Jielun Chen Yujie Huang Jiaming Yang Yuhui Xiao Fan Yang Yazhen Chen |
| author_facet | Liqing Zeng Hui Yang Tong Tong Jielun Chen Yujie Huang Jiaming Yang Yuhui Xiao Fan Yang Yazhen Chen |
| author_sort | Liqing Zeng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study delved into the impact of aging on the properties of five common microplastic types, including polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). The aging process significantly altered the particle size distribution: PS, PP, and PMMA underwent a contraction, with average sizes decreasing by 6.8%, 3.2%, and 1.7%, respectively, whereas PE and PVC experienced an expansion, with increases of 3.1% and 1.7%. Notably, aging generally increased the specific surface area of all microplastics by more than 20%, a change that could influence their environmental interactions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed marked surface cracks and depressions in aged PE and PVC, in contrast to minor surface alterations in PS and PMMA. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy further indicated modifications in the characteristic peaks of aged PMMA, PP, and PE microplastics. Exposure experiments demonstrates that increasing microplastic concentrations from 100 mg/L to 5000 mg/L accelerated mortality rates in clams, with juveniles exhibiting slower mortality onset compared to adults. Prolonged exposure led to rising mortality rates across all groups, suggesting a cumulative toxic effect from long-term microplastic exposure. These findings underscore the environmental ecological risks associated with the altered physicochemical properties of aged microplastics, particularly for the Philippine clam. This study provides an essential insight for advancing our understanding of microplastic behavior and their ecological impacts, highlighting the need for further research to mitigate these environmental threats. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8f336fe91bc84f98a5103de0b13c83c7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-8f336fe91bc84f98a5103de0b13c83c72025-08-20T03:08:25ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-02823-0Study on the toxic effect of seawater-aged microplastics on Philippine curtain clamsLiqing Zeng0Hui Yang1Tong Tong2Jielun Chen3Yujie Huang4Jiaming Yang5Yuhui Xiao6Fan Yang7Yazhen Chen8Department of Public Health and Medical Technology, Xiamen Medical CollegeDepartment of Public Health and Medical Technology, Xiamen Medical CollegeSchool of Mechanical, Electrical and Information Engineering, Xiamen Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Public Health and Medical Technology, Xiamen Medical CollegeDepartment of Public Health and Medical Technology, Xiamen Medical CollegeDepartment of Public Health and Medical Technology, Xiamen Medical CollegeDepartment of Public Health and Medical Technology, Xiamen Medical CollegeKey Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of SciencesDepartment of Public Health and Medical Technology, Xiamen Medical CollegeAbstract This study delved into the impact of aging on the properties of five common microplastic types, including polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). The aging process significantly altered the particle size distribution: PS, PP, and PMMA underwent a contraction, with average sizes decreasing by 6.8%, 3.2%, and 1.7%, respectively, whereas PE and PVC experienced an expansion, with increases of 3.1% and 1.7%. Notably, aging generally increased the specific surface area of all microplastics by more than 20%, a change that could influence their environmental interactions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed marked surface cracks and depressions in aged PE and PVC, in contrast to minor surface alterations in PS and PMMA. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy further indicated modifications in the characteristic peaks of aged PMMA, PP, and PE microplastics. Exposure experiments demonstrates that increasing microplastic concentrations from 100 mg/L to 5000 mg/L accelerated mortality rates in clams, with juveniles exhibiting slower mortality onset compared to adults. Prolonged exposure led to rising mortality rates across all groups, suggesting a cumulative toxic effect from long-term microplastic exposure. These findings underscore the environmental ecological risks associated with the altered physicochemical properties of aged microplastics, particularly for the Philippine clam. This study provides an essential insight for advancing our understanding of microplastic behavior and their ecological impacts, highlighting the need for further research to mitigate these environmental threats.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02823-0MicroplasticsPhilippine curtain clamAcute toxicityNatural degradationEnvironmental health risk |
| spellingShingle | Liqing Zeng Hui Yang Tong Tong Jielun Chen Yujie Huang Jiaming Yang Yuhui Xiao Fan Yang Yazhen Chen Study on the toxic effect of seawater-aged microplastics on Philippine curtain clams Scientific Reports Microplastics Philippine curtain clam Acute toxicity Natural degradation Environmental health risk |
| title | Study on the toxic effect of seawater-aged microplastics on Philippine curtain clams |
| title_full | Study on the toxic effect of seawater-aged microplastics on Philippine curtain clams |
| title_fullStr | Study on the toxic effect of seawater-aged microplastics on Philippine curtain clams |
| title_full_unstemmed | Study on the toxic effect of seawater-aged microplastics on Philippine curtain clams |
| title_short | Study on the toxic effect of seawater-aged microplastics on Philippine curtain clams |
| title_sort | study on the toxic effect of seawater aged microplastics on philippine curtain clams |
| topic | Microplastics Philippine curtain clam Acute toxicity Natural degradation Environmental health risk |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02823-0 |
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