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- Assessing cadmium-based quantum dots effect on the gonads of the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialisPublication . Gonçalves, Joanna M.; Rocha, Thiago Lopes; Nélia Mestre, N. C. Mestre, N. Mestre; Fonseca, T. G.; Bebianno, M.This study assesses the sex-specific effects induced by CdTe QDs, on the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in comparison to its dissolved counterpart. A 14 days exposure to CdTe QDs and dissolved Cd was conducted (10 mu g Cd L-1), analysing Cd accumulation, oxidative stress, biotransformation, metallothionein and oxidative damage in the gonads. Both Cd forms caused significant antioxidant alterations, whereby QDs were more pro-oxidant, leading to oxidative damage, being females more affected. Overall, biochemical impairments on gonads of M. galloprovincialis demonstrate that the reproductive toxicity induced by CdTe QDs in mussels are sex-dependent and mediated by oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. It is crucial to acknowledge how gametes are affected by metal-based nanoparticles, such as Cd-based QDs. As well as understanding the potential changes they may undergo at the cellular level during gametogenesis, embryogenesis and larval development potentially leading to serious impacts on population sustainability and ecosystem health.
- Polystyrene nanoplastics in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialisPublication . Gonçalves, Joanna M.; Benedetti, M.; d’Errico, G.; Regoli, F.; Bebianno, Maria J.Concerns about plastic pollution and its toxicity towards animals and people are growing. Polystyrene (PS) is a plastic polymer highly produced in Europe for packaging purposes and building insulation amongst others. Whatever their source—illegal dumping, improper waste management, or a lack of treatment for the removal of plastic debris from wastewater treatment plants—PS products ultimately end up in the marine environment. Nanoplastics (<1000 nm) are the new focus for plastic pollution, gaining broad interest. Whether primary or secondary, their small size permits nanoparticles to cross cellular boundaries, consequently leading to adverse toxic effects. An in vitro assay of Mytilus galloprovincialis haemocytes exposed to 10 μg/L of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs; 50 nm) for 24 h was used to test cellular viability along with the luminescence inhibition (LC50) of Aliivibrio fischeri bacteria to evaluate acute toxicity. Cellular viability of mussel haemocytes decreased significantly after a 24 h exposure and PS-NPs LC50 range from 180 to 217, μg/L. In addition, a 28-day exposure of the marine bivalve M. galloprovincialis to PS-NPs (10 μg/L; 50 nm) was performed to evaluate the neurotoxic effects and the uptake of these plastic particles in three bivalve tissues (gills, digestive gland, and gonads). The ingestion of PS-NPs was time- and tissue-specific, suggesting that PS-NPs are ingested through the gills and then translocated through the mussel bloodstream, to the digestive gland and gonads where the highest amount of ingested PS-NPs was reported. Ingested PS-NPs may compromise the digestive glands’ key metabolic function and impair mussels’ gametogenic and reproductive success. Data on acetylcholinesterase inhibition and those previously obtained on a wide range of cellular biomarkers were elaborated through weighted criteria providing a synthetic assessment of cellular hazard from PS-NPs.
- Nanoplastics impact on marine biota: a reviewPublication . Bebianno, Maria João; Gonçalves, Joanna M.Emerging contaminants, such as nanoplastics, are gaining a vast interest within the scientific community. Most of the plastic debris found in the marine environment originates from land-based sources, and once in the marine environment, plastic can be degraded into smaller fragments. Nanoplastics are considered to fall within the definition of other nanoparticles (1 to 100 nm in size) and may be divided into primary or secondary nanoplastics. Primary nanoplastics are those that enter the environment in their original small size associated with specific applications and consumer products, whilst secondary nanoplastics are a consequence of macro/microplastic degradation. The formation of nanoplastics changes the physical-chemical characteristics of the particle, thus at a nanoscale, it is expected that the strength, conductivity, and reactivity of the nanoparticles will differ substantially from macro/micro-sized particles. To date, the toxicity nanoplastics may pursue on marine biota is still scarce. Herein, a review of the available data on the effects of different polymer types of nanoplastics specific to marine biota is accounted for.
- Ecotoxicity of emerging contaminants in the reproductive organ of marine mussels mytilus galloprovincialisPublication . Gonçalves, Joanna M.; Bebianno, M.Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) present a new threat to the marine environment, and it is vital to under-stand the interactions and possible toxicity of CEC mixtures once they reach the ocean. CECs-such as metal nanopar-ticles, nanoplastics, and pharmaceuticals-are groups of contaminants some of which have been individually evaluated, though their interactions as mixtures are still not fully understood. To ensure a healthy and prosperous fu-ture generation, successful reproduction is key: however, if hindered, population dynamics may be at danger leading to a negative impact on biodiversity. This study aimed to understand the effects of silver (20 nm nAg, 10 mu g/L), polysty-rene nanoparticles (50 nm nPS, 10 mu g/L), and 5-fluorouracil (5FU, 10 ng/L) individually and as a mixture (10 mu g/L of nPS + 10 mu g/L of nAg +10 ng/L of 5FU) in the gonads of Mytilus galloprovincialis. A multibiomarker approach, namely the antioxidant defence system (ADS; superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione - S - trans-ferases activities), and oxidative damage (OD; lipid peroxidation) were analysed in the gonads of mussels. All exposure treatments after 3 days led to an increase of enzymatic activity, followed by an inhibition after 14 and 21 days. Thus, ADS was overwhelmed due to the generation of ROS, resulting in OD, except for nPS exposed mussels. The OD in Mix exposed mussels increased exponentially by 57-fold. When CEC mixtures interact, they are potentially more hazardous than their individual components, posing a major threat to marine species. To understand synergistic and antagonistic interactions, a model was applied, and antagonistic interactions were observed in evaluated biomarkers at all time-points, apart from a synergistic interaction at day 3 relative to LPO. Results indicate that the effects observed in Mix-exposed mussel gonads are mainly due to the interaction of nAg and 5FU but not nPS.
- Assessing the effects of the cytostatic drug 5-Fluorouracil alone and in a mixture of emerging contaminants on the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialisPublication . Gonçalves, Joanna M.; Beckmann, Clara; Bebianno, MariaThe assessment of contaminants of emerging concern, alone and in mixtures, and their effects on marine biota requires attention. 5-Fluorouracil is a cytostatic category 3 anti-cancer medication (IARC) that is used to treat a variety of cancers, including colon, pancreatic, and breast cancer. In the presence of other pollutants, this pharmaceutical can interact and form mixtures of contaminants, such as adhering to plastics and interaction with metal nanoparticles. This study aimed to comprehend the effects of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU; 10 ng/L) and a mixture of emerging contaminants (Mix): silver nanoparticles (nAg; 20 nm; 10 mu g/L), polystyrene nanoparticles (nPS; 50 nm; 10 mu g/L) and 5FU (10 ng/L), in an in vivo (21 days) exposure of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. A multibiomarker approach namely genotoxicity, the antioxidant defence system (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidases (GPx), glutathione - S - transferases (GST) activities), and oxidative damage (LPO) was used to assess the effects in gills and digestive gland of mussels. Both treatments cause genotoxicity in mussel's haemolymph, and antagonism between contaminants was observed in the Mix. Genotoxicity observed confirms 5FU's mode of action (MoA) by DNA damage. The antioxidant defence system of mussels exposed to 5FU kicked in and counter balanced ROS generated during the exposure, though the same was not seen in Mix-exposed mussels. Mussels were able to withstand the effects of the single compound but not the effects of the Mix. For oxidative stress and damage, the interactions of the components of the mixture have a synergistic effect.
- Chronic toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialisPublication . Gonçalves, Joanna M.; Sousa, Vânia Serrão; Teixeira, Margarida Ribau; Bebianno, MariaNanoplastics (NP) (1–100 nm) are a growing global concern, and their adverse effects in marine organisms are still scarce. This study evaluated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (10 μg/L; 50 nm nPS) in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis after a 21 – day exposure. The hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of nPS were analysed, over time, in seawater and ultrapure water. A multibiomarker approach (genotoxicity (the comet assay) was assessed in mussel haemocytes, and the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), biotransformation enzyme (glutathione – S – transferase (GST)), and oxidative damage (LPO)) was assessed in gills and digestive glands to evaluate the toxicity of nPS towards mussels. In seawater, aggregation of nPS is favoured and consequently the hydrodynamic diameter increases. Genotoxicity was highly noticeable in mussels exposed to nPS, presenting a higher % tail DNA when compared to controls. Antioxidant enzymes are overwhelmed after nPS exposure, leading to oxidative damage in both tissues. Results showed that mussel tissues are incapable of dealing with the effects that this emerging stressor pursues towards the organism. The Integrated Biomarker Response index, used to summarise the biomarkers analysed into one index, shows that nPS toxicity towards mussels are both tissue and time dependent, being that gills are the tissue most compromised.
- Looking beyond the obvious: the ecotoxicological impact of the leachate from fishing nets and cables in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialisPublication . Vilke, Juliano Marcelo; GARCIA DA FONSECA, TAINÁ; Dias de Alkimin, Gilberto; Ribeiro Gonçalves, Joanna Melissa; Edo Cuesta, Carlos; d’ Errico, Giuseppe; Seilitz, Fredric Södergren; Rotander, Anna; Benedetti, Maura; Regoli, Francesco; Lüchmann, Karim H.; Bebianno, MariaOnce in the marine environment, fishing nets and cables undergo weathering, breaking down into micro and nano -size particles and leaching plastic additives, which negatively affect marine biota. This study aims to unravel the ecotoxicological impact of different concentrations of leachate obtained from abandoned or lost fishing nets and cables in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis under long-term exposure (28 days). Biochemical biomarkers linked to antioxidant defense system, xenobiotic biotransformation, oxidative damage, genotoxicity, and neurotoxicity were evaluated in different mussel tissues. The chemical nature of the fishing nets and cables and the chemical composition of the leachate were assessed and metals, plasticizers, UV stabilizers, flame retardants, antioxidants, dyes, flavoring agents, preservatives, intermediates and photo initiators were detected. The leachate severely affected the antioxidant and biotransformation systems in mussels' tissues. Following exposure to 1 mg center dot L -1 of leachate, mussels' defense system was enhanced to prevent oxidative damage. In contrast, in mussels exposed to 10 and 100 mg center dot L -1 of leachate, defenses failed to overcome pro -oxidant molecules, resulting in genotoxicity and oxidative damage. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Weight of Evidence (WOE) evaluation confirmed that mussels were significantly affected by the leachate being the hazard of the leachate concentrations of 10 mg center dot L -1 ranked as major, while 1 and 100 mg center dot L -1 was moderate. These results highlighted that the leachate from fishing nets and cables can be a threat to the heath of the mussel M. galloprovincialis .
- Are mixtures of micro/nanoplastics more toxic than individual micro or nanoplastic contamination in the clam ruditapes decussatus?Publication . Ventura, Emma; Ribeiro Gonçalves, Joanna Melissa; Vilke, Juliano Marcelo; d'Errico, Giuseppe; Benedetti, Maura; Regoli, Francesco; Bebianno, MariaThe abundance of micro (MPs) and nano (NPs) sized plastic particles in the ocean is concerning due to their harmful effects on marine life. The interactions between MPs and NPs in the marine environment and their impact on marine biota remain not fully understood. This study contributes with new insights into the interaction between polystyrene NPs (PSNPs) and polyethylene MPs (PEMPs) on the clam Ruditapes decussatus . Results showed ingestion of MPs and NPs by clams, with PSNPs demonstrating higher toxicity in hemolymph. While no genotoxicity was observed, clams treated with MPs and the mixture showed increased acetylcolinesterase (AchE) activity over time. Additionally, the antioxidant defense system mitigated oxidative stress, suggesting effective neutralization of reactive oxygen species. Hazard assessment indicated the greatest impact on clam digestive glands after ten days of exposure, with an antagonistic interaction between MPs and NPs noted.
- Gender effects of nanoplastics and emerging contaminants mixtures in Mytilus galloprovincialisPublication . Ribeiro Gonçalves, Joanna Melissa; Benedetti, M.; d'Errico, G.; Regoli, F.; Bebianno, MariaThe reproduction of mussels occurs within the water column, and if gametogenesis is successful, gametes are exposed to the surrounding contaminants. Nanoplastics and other emerging contaminants have been gaining vast attention; however, their effects on the reproductive tissues of mussels with sex differentiation are scarce. Here, the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (50 nm; 10 mu g/L), the cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil (10 ng/L), and a mixture of the two were evaluated in the gonads of Mytilus galloprovincialis after a 21-day exposure for a multibiomarker assessment, and after 28 days for the accumulation of nanoplastics. The effects on the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and lipid peroxidation were evaluated. Moreover, synergistic and antagonistic interactions in the mixture were calculated. A weight of evidence model was also used to elaborate on the hazardous level of biomarker results relative to polystyrene nanoparticles alone and in the mixture. The accumulation of nanoplastics appeared gender and time-specific, with females mostly compromised. According to the data set, a synergistic interaction between the cytotoxic drug and the nano- plastics makes the combination far more dangerous than individual stressors. The Weight Of Evidence model also confirms that females are more compromised at chronic exposure times than males. This study shows that the uptake, fate, and impact of emerging contaminants of concern can be significantly influenced by sex.