Tracing the spread and accumulation of plastic nanoparticles in zebrafish

What is it about?

Polystyrene nanoplastics (PSN) continue to pollute our natural water bodies and this may worsen with time. It is likely that the fish in these water bodies are exposed to these PSNs by eating or inhaling them. While there are reports on PSN hazard in aquatic systems, very little is known about the same in freshwater organisms such as zebrafish. In this study, researchers exposed zebrafish to different amounts of PSN in artificial freshwater for 20 days, and using mass spectrometry, they found that the fish's gut, liver, and gills had the most PSN, while their muscles and brains had the least. The researchers also studied how quickly the fish absorbed these tiny plastic pieces. They found that fish in water with fewer PSN took longer to reach a stable level compared to fish in water with more PSN. This information helps us understand how different body parts of fish are affected by PSN.

Featured Image

Photo by kate estes on Unsplash

Photo by kate estes on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Plastics are used a lot, and it is predicted that we will make more than 521,800 tons of it by 2050. When plastic ends up in the environment, it can break into even smaller pieces, which we call nanoplastics. These can enter the food chain very easily when aquatic animals consume them. That's why it is important to know how PSN behaves in different organisms who live in water bodies. Understanding the distribution and behavior of PSN within these organisms can help us understand the extent of plastic pollution and risks to the aquatic ecosystem. KEY TAKEAWAY: This study mainly aims to find out the risks of tiny plastic pieces or PSN in aquatic environments. By understanding how these tiny plastics work in fish, researchers can provide valuable advice for assessing the risks to the environment and the process of these tiny plastics building up in fish. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 14: Life Below Water • SDG 15: Life on Land • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation