The combined effect of triphenyltin and microplastics on the body has a greater toxic effect than either pollutant alone. article about it published in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology.
Plastic pollution is considered one of the most serious environmental problems in the modern world. A significant portion of plastic debris ends up in the ocean, where many pieces break down into smaller fragments and form microplastics, which are particles less than 5mm in length. Triphenyltin is an organotin compound that is widely used in industry and also accumulates in water.
Xi Qizhang and his colleagues set out to test how the combined effects of these pollutants might affect the body. Carp, a ubiquitous fish in fresh waters that plays an important role in the ecosystem, was chosen as the model animal. Two groups of fish were exposed to each pollutant separately, while the third group was exposed to a combination of both. The experiments lasted 42 days and samples were taken from fish at regular intervals to evaluate the combined toxic effects on gut physiology, body biochemical parameters and gut microflora.
It turned out that both substances separately poison the intestines and brain of the carp. When acting independently, microplastics mainly suppressed the immune system, while triphenyltin affected lipid metabolism. However, combinations of these substances increased the immunotoxicity of the microplastics. Both substances damaged the immune system by suppressing the expression of genes associated with it.
This study will help to better understand the extent of the industry’s damage to wildlife.
ancient biologists to solvethis causes ticks to “throw” eggs like a cuckoo.
Source: Gazeta
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