Biology subjects

Boymelgreen, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Boymelgreen, A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Trophic transfer and bioaccumulation of nanoplastics in Coryphaena hippurus (Mahi-mahi) and effect of depuration

Ocean plastic pollution is a global concern, exacerbated by the distinctive physiochemical characteristics of nanoplastics (NPs), making it crucial to study the impacts on marine animals. While most studies focus on the impacts of waterborne NP exposure, trophic transfer is another key transport mechanism that may also provide insight into the potential transfer of NPs to humans through the food chain. This study investigates polystyrene NP transfer to Coryphaena hippurus (mahi-mahi) larvae, a widely consumed fish and significant marine predator, during the early life stage. Using a two-step food chain, Brachionus plicatilis (rotifers) were exposed to NPs, and subsequently fed to C. hippurus larvae, with exposure durations ranging from 24 to 96 h. Significant NP transfer was observed via the food chain, varying with exposure duration. A depuration study over 72 h, simulating environmental intermittent NP exposure, revealed substantial NP excretion but also notable retention in the larvae. Biodistribution analysis indicated that most NPs accumulated in the gut, with a significant portion remaining post-depuration and some translocating to other body parts. Despite no significant effects on body length and eye diameter during this short study period, histopathological analysis revealed intestinal tissue damage in the larvae. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=166 SRC="FIGDIR/small/606698v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (44K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@828cfcorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@f6092borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d3efc6org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@22dcb2_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Real-time assessment of the impacts of polystyrene and silver nanoparticles on hatching process and early-stage development of Artemia using a microfluidic platform

The development of real-time in-situ monitoring techniques is key to advancing a mechanistic understanding of the impacts of marine pollution, which is challenging to acquire through traditional end-point toxicity testing. We investigated the impacts of different nanopollutants on the hatching process and early-stage development of marine organisms, a vulnerable life stage, by observing oxygen consumption in real-time and morphological changes at regular intervals using a microfluidic platform. Here, two common and distinct nanoparticle (NP) types - polystyrene (PS) nanoplastic and silver (Ag) nanometal, were examined to assess and compare impacts on the hatching process and nauplius stage (first larval stage) of Artemia, a widely used zooplankton model in ecotoxicological studies. The study was conducted over a wide range of doses that are relevant to different environmental conditions, ranging from 0-1 mg/L, over a period of 24 hours. The hatching process of Artemia is comprised of four distinct stages which can be differentiated by metabolism and morphology: hydration, differentiation, emergence, and hatching. During hatching, NP exposure altered the time needed for the resumption of dormant Artemia cysts (hydration duration) at the lowest dose, dramatically prolonged the differentiation stage, and slowed embryo emergence from the cysts. The remaining time for the hatching stage during the experimental timeframe was also shortened. Overall, the presence of NPs led to increased oxygen consumption in multiple stages of the hatching process. Hatchability increased significantly with NP concentration although mortality showed an inverse pattern. This may be attributed to the increased aggregation of NPs in saltwater with increasing concentration which limits bioavailability during hatching but may be more readily consumed post-hatch. Ag NPs had a greater effect on hatching and mortality in comparison to PS NPs. A significant impact of NPs on swimming speed was observed, with a decrease observed in the presence of PS NPs and an increase observed in the presence of Ag NPs. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=143 SRC="FIGDIR/small/553636v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (52K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3224e3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@13d81corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d14163org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1bfd44_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIUtilization of oxygen sensor integrated microfluidic chip and microscopy for ecotoxicological study. C_LIO_LIBioaccumulation of NPs affected hatching stages and respiration leading to inhibition of hatchability, with greater toxicity of silver NPs. C_LIO_LINPs caused significant mortality and alteration in swimming performance. C_LI

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

The impact of selected abiotic factors on zooplankton hatching process through real-time, in-situ observation

Current studies on abiotic impacts on marine microorganisms often focus on endpoint analysis (e.g., hatching rates, survival). Here, we demonstrate that a mechanistic understanding can be obtained through real-time measurement of respiration and morphology in controlled microenvironments over extended time periods. As a demonstration, temperature and salinity are chosen to represent critical abiotic parameters that are also threatened by climate change and a target species of Artemia, a prominent zooplankton whose reproduction can affect the marine food pyramid. Different temperatures (20, 35, and 30{o}C) and salinities (0, 25, 50, and 75 ppt) are shown to significantly alter the duration of hatching stages, metabolic rates, and hatchability. Higher temperatures and moderate salinity boosted metabolic reactivation of latent cysts, while higher temperatures alone sped up the process. Hatchability is inversely related to the duration of the differentiation stage of hatching, which persisted longer at lower temperatures and salinities. Initial oxygen availability affects respiration but not hatchability owing to temperature and salinity interactions. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=115 SRC="FIGDIR/small/524934v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (49K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d796aborg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@e4cc10org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@111415corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1da1414_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

ecology↗