Effects of Polyurethane Small-Sized Microplastics in the Chironomid, Chironomus riparius: Responses at Organismal and Sub-Organismal Levels

Sara A. M. Silva, Andreia C. M. Rodrigues, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Ana L. Patrício Silva () and Carlos Gravato
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Sara A. M. Silva: Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Andreia C. M. Rodrigues: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Teresa Rocha-Santos: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Ana L. Patrício Silva: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Carlos Gravato: Faculty of Sciences, CESAM, University of Lisbon, Campos Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: Freshwater provides valuable services and functions to humankind. However, macroinvertebrates that underpin the delivery of many of those ecosystem services and functions are under an additional threat caused by microplastic pollution. Chironomids are one of the most abundant groups of macroinvertebrates in these environments and the most sensitive to microplastics. This investigation addressed the effects of polyurethane (PU-MPs; 7.0–9.0 µm) on the chironomid Chironomus riparius at the organism and sub-organism levels. For this purpose, two assays were carried out: (i) addressing the effects of PU-MPs on C. riparius partial life cycle traits (larval size and emergence parameters) in a 28 d assay considering concentrations up to 750 mg/Kg, and (ii) larvae behaviour (locomotion) as well as the biochemical responses (oxidative damage, aerobic energy production, and energy reserves) in a 10 d assay considering an environmentally relevant concentration with no observed effects on C. riparius previous life history traits (no observed effect concentration; NOEC = (375 mg/kg). Exposure to PU-MPs did not affect C. riparius larval length nor cumulative and time to emergence. Conversely, when exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration for 10 days, contaminated larvae were revealed to be lighter (but not smaller nor less nutritionally affected in terms of energy reserves) and more active when foraging, which was reflected in the activation of their aerobic metabolism when assessing the electron transport chain as a proxy. Notwithstanding, PU-MPs did not originate observable energy costs, either on protein, lipid, or sugar contents on contaminated larvae, which may justify the absence of effects on larval growth and emergence. Therefore, the increased production of energy used for the locomotion and functioning of larvae was at the expense of the fraction of energy that should have been allocated for the weight of the individuals. A long-term exposure involving a multigenerational assessment would bring intel on the potential (cumulative) sub-lethal effects of PU-MPs on C. riparius fitness.

Keywords: benthic macroinvertebrates; life history traits; behaviour; biochemical responses; small plastic particles (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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