Impacts of Microplastics, Cadmium, and Their Mixtures on Biochemical Biomarkers in the Freshwater Bivalve <i>Corbicula fluminea</i> (Bivalvia, Corbiculidea)

Microplastics (MPs) are a worldwide contaminant of significant environmental concern due to their persistence, widespread distribution, and toxic potential. These plastic particles are taken up by invertebrates such as bivalves. Previous studies have indicated that MPs can serve as carriers for othe...

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Main Authors: Susana Parra, Dércia Santos, Ana Luzio, Edna Cabecinha, Maria José Saavedra, Jesús Gago, Simone Varandas, Sandra Mariza Monteiro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Diversity
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/16/12/750
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author Susana Parra
Dércia Santos
Ana Luzio
Edna Cabecinha
Maria José Saavedra
Jesús Gago
Simone Varandas
Sandra Mariza Monteiro
author_facet Susana Parra
Dércia Santos
Ana Luzio
Edna Cabecinha
Maria José Saavedra
Jesús Gago
Simone Varandas
Sandra Mariza Monteiro
author_sort Susana Parra
collection DOAJ
description Microplastics (MPs) are a worldwide contaminant of significant environmental concern due to their persistence, widespread distribution, and toxic potential. These plastic particles are taken up by invertebrates such as bivalves. Previous studies have indicated that MPs can serve as carriers for other contaminants, such as heavy metals, thereby increasing their bioavailability to organisms, with unpredictable ecological consequences. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exposure to MPs, cadmium (Cd), and their mixtures (Mix) in the gills, digestive gland, and gonad of the Asian clam, <i>Corbicula fluminea</i>, assessing the oxidative stress responses, LDH activity, and neurotoxicity over 7, 14, 21, and 30 days. The results show that exposure to MPs and their mixtures with the lowest Cd concentration led to the activation of the first line of antioxidant defenses, especially SOD and CAT, in the gills, digestive gland, and gonads. An increase in GST activity was also observed in the gonads. However, the response of GST activity in the gills and digestive gland was opposite that observed in the gonads. Furthermore, LDH activity exhibited contrasting responses, increasing in the digestive gland and decreasing in the gills and gonads. Exposure to MPs induced AChE activity, which contradicts previous findings. The results provide novel insights into the biological responses occurring in different target organs and shed light on the effects of MPs and their mixtures on <i>C. fluminea</i>.
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spelling doaj-art-df058680771b45febc8b0d69280c0baa2025-08-20T02:00:21ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182024-12-01161275010.3390/d16120750Impacts of Microplastics, Cadmium, and Their Mixtures on Biochemical Biomarkers in the Freshwater Bivalve <i>Corbicula fluminea</i> (Bivalvia, Corbiculidea)Susana Parra0Dércia Santos1Ana Luzio2Edna Cabecinha3Maria José Saavedra4Jesús Gago5Simone Varandas6Sandra Mariza Monteiro7School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, PortugalSchool of Life and Environmental Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, PortugalSchool of Life and Environmental Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, PortugalSchool of Life and Environmental Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, PortugalSchool of Life and Environmental Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, PortugalCentro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO-CSIC), Subida a Radio Faro 50, 36390 Vigo, SpainSchool of Life and Environmental Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, PortugalSchool of Life and Environmental Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, PortugalMicroplastics (MPs) are a worldwide contaminant of significant environmental concern due to their persistence, widespread distribution, and toxic potential. These plastic particles are taken up by invertebrates such as bivalves. Previous studies have indicated that MPs can serve as carriers for other contaminants, such as heavy metals, thereby increasing their bioavailability to organisms, with unpredictable ecological consequences. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exposure to MPs, cadmium (Cd), and their mixtures (Mix) in the gills, digestive gland, and gonad of the Asian clam, <i>Corbicula fluminea</i>, assessing the oxidative stress responses, LDH activity, and neurotoxicity over 7, 14, 21, and 30 days. The results show that exposure to MPs and their mixtures with the lowest Cd concentration led to the activation of the first line of antioxidant defenses, especially SOD and CAT, in the gills, digestive gland, and gonads. An increase in GST activity was also observed in the gonads. However, the response of GST activity in the gills and digestive gland was opposite that observed in the gonads. Furthermore, LDH activity exhibited contrasting responses, increasing in the digestive gland and decreasing in the gills and gonads. Exposure to MPs induced AChE activity, which contradicts previous findings. The results provide novel insights into the biological responses occurring in different target organs and shed light on the effects of MPs and their mixtures on <i>C. fluminea</i>.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/16/12/750freshwater bivalvesmicroplasticsbioindicatorsoxidative stressgillsdigestive gland
spellingShingle Susana Parra
Dércia Santos
Ana Luzio
Edna Cabecinha
Maria José Saavedra
Jesús Gago
Simone Varandas
Sandra Mariza Monteiro
Impacts of Microplastics, Cadmium, and Their Mixtures on Biochemical Biomarkers in the Freshwater Bivalve <i>Corbicula fluminea</i> (Bivalvia, Corbiculidea)
Diversity
freshwater bivalves
microplastics
bioindicators
oxidative stress
gills
digestive gland
title Impacts of Microplastics, Cadmium, and Their Mixtures on Biochemical Biomarkers in the Freshwater Bivalve <i>Corbicula fluminea</i> (Bivalvia, Corbiculidea)
title_full Impacts of Microplastics, Cadmium, and Their Mixtures on Biochemical Biomarkers in the Freshwater Bivalve <i>Corbicula fluminea</i> (Bivalvia, Corbiculidea)
title_fullStr Impacts of Microplastics, Cadmium, and Their Mixtures on Biochemical Biomarkers in the Freshwater Bivalve <i>Corbicula fluminea</i> (Bivalvia, Corbiculidea)
title_full_unstemmed Impacts of Microplastics, Cadmium, and Their Mixtures on Biochemical Biomarkers in the Freshwater Bivalve <i>Corbicula fluminea</i> (Bivalvia, Corbiculidea)
title_short Impacts of Microplastics, Cadmium, and Their Mixtures on Biochemical Biomarkers in the Freshwater Bivalve <i>Corbicula fluminea</i> (Bivalvia, Corbiculidea)
title_sort impacts of microplastics cadmium and their mixtures on biochemical biomarkers in the freshwater bivalve i corbicula fluminea i bivalvia corbiculidea
topic freshwater bivalves
microplastics
bioindicators
oxidative stress
gills
digestive gland
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/16/12/750
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