Interference of microplastics in the ecotoxicity of emerging contaminants: A multidisciplinary approach for toxicological endpoints, trophic transfer and multigenerational toxicity assessment

• Grant number: 24/19618-9
• Support Opportunities: Generation Project Research Grant
• Start date: February 01, 2026
• End date: January 31, 2031
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Flavio Kiyoshi Tominaga
• Grantee: Flavio Kiyoshi Tominaga
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Ana Carolina Luchiari ; Antonio Carlos Silva Costa Teixeira ; Bruno Fiorelini Pereira ; Fábio Kummrow ; Gisele Giannocco ; Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza ; Patrícia Léo

Abstract

Plastic is a material widely used in contemporary society. Conventional plastics are very resistant to degradation; however, environmental weathering can lead to fragmentation and the formation of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs). These materials are ubiquitous in the environment, can affect biodiversity and enter the food chain. MPs have been found in multiple human bodies and non-target organisms, posing a significant risk to public and ecosystem health. Several toxic effects have been documented, including oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, immune responses, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Moreover, these materials can also interact with harmful organic pollutants, act as vectors for pollutants, and increase their transport and distribution in the environment. The interactions between microplastics and contaminants can be influenced by factors such as size, type of material, and aging. Nevertheless, studies regarding these interactions are still scarce and controversial. Among pollutants, emerging contaminants (EC) including pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and plastic additives are frequently detected in the environment and have the potential to cause adverse ecological and/or human health effects. Pesticides, in particular, are of increasing interest since Brazil is a major agricultural producer, in which approximately 80% of pesticides used in Brazil are not permitted in at least three OECD countries. PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in industry and consumer products that are also extremely persistent contaminants detected in several environmental matrices. Additionally, additives in plastics can be gradually released from microplastics, including bisphenol A, which is an endocrine disruptor widely present in the environment and an essential additive in plastic production. The application of species from different trophic levels in bioassays plays a crucial role in understanding the potential environmental threat posed by common pollutants. The algae Raphidocelis subcapitata is a sensitive microorganism, widely used to represent both eutrophic and oligotrophic freshwater environments. The cladoceran Ceriodaphnia silvestrii is a common species in Brazilian freshwaters and is recommended as a test organism for ecotoxicological studies. The fish Danio rerio (zebrafish) is an important model organism for vertebrate studies, facilitating research in various areas, including toxicology, biochemistry, and genetics. Additionally, zebrafish cells can be cultivated from embryos and adult tissues. Multigenerational toxicity testing is a valuable tool for understanding the long-term effects of contaminants on aquatic organisms, as exposure can lead to transgenerational effects, where the impacts of contaminants are observed in subsequent generations even after the initial exposure has ceased. In the literature, there are still few studies related to the multigenerational effects of mixtures of microplastics (MP) and emerging contaminants (EC) on non-target organisms. This project aims to evaluate the toxicological effects of potential interactions between conventional and biodegradable MPs/NPs, and various emerging contaminants from distinct classes on organisms from different trophic levels (algae, microcrustaceans, and fish), assessing multigenerational toxicity and trophic transfer through MP ingestion. A multidisciplinary approach will be applied to evaluate the physiological, histopathological, biochemical, biomolecular, and behavioral parameters. The data generated in this multidisciplinary context will help to understand the interactions between mixtures of environmental contaminants from different classes, aiding in the assessment of risks for the protection of non-target species. (AU)