Register      Login
Marine and Freshwater Research Marine and Freshwater Research Society
Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Toxicological consequences of polystyrene microplastics on Cirrhinus mrigala: effects on growth, body composition, nutrient digestibility, haematology and histopathology

Eram Rashid A , Syed Makhdoom Hussain https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5087-3887 A * , Shafaqat Ali B C * , Khalid A. Al-Ghanim D and Pallab K. Sarker E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Fish Nutrition Lab, Department of Zoology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan.

B Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan.

C Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.

D Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.

E Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA.


Handling Editor: Donald Baird

Marine and Freshwater Research 75, MF24055 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF24055
Submitted: 30 November 2023  Accepted: 13 March 2024  Published: 14 October 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

Microplastics (MPs), whether originating from primary or secondary means, have emerged as a significant global issue nowadays.

Aims

The current research was designed to assess the toxicological consequences of polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) on the growth, digestibility, body composition, haematology and histopathology of Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings.

Methods

In this study, six test diets with different MP concentrations were used, including a control group (0% MPs) and groups with 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5% MPs in sunflower meal-based diets. For a 90-day duration, 270 fingerlings (6.54 ± 0.02 g fish−1) were placed in triplicate groups in tanks, with each tank consisting of 15 fingerlings, feeding at a rate equivalent to 5% of their live wet bodyweight.

Key results

The findings revealed a negative correlation between MP concentration and fingerlings performance, encompassing growth, digestibility, body composition, histopathology and hematology.

Conclusions

The results indicate that 2.5% MPs inclusion in C. mrigala adversely affects growth, digestibility, body composition, histopathology and hematology.

Implications

This research highlights the harmful effects of PS-MPs on C. mrigala fingerlings, emphasising urgent global action to address and mitigate aquatic ecosystem threats.

Keywords: carcass composition, Cirrhinus mrigala, growth, haematology, histopathology, microplastic, nutrient digestibility, polystyrene, toxicity.

References

Abarghouei S, Hedayati A, Raeisi M, Hadavand BS, Rezaei H, Abed-Elmdoust A (2021) Size-dependent effects of microplastic on uptake, immune system, related gene expression and histopathology of goldfish (Carassius auratus). Chemosphere 276, 129977.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Ahmad M, Li J-L, Wang P-D, Hozzein WN, Li W-J (2020) Environmental perspectives of microplastic pollution in the aquatic environment: a review. Marine Life Science & Technology 2, 414-430.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Association of Official Analytical Chemists (2005) ‘Official methods of analysis’, 18th edn. (AOAC: Arlington, VA, USA)

Bahri ARS, Ikhtiar M, Baharuddin A, Abbas HH (2020) Identification of microplastic in tilapia fish (Oreochromis mossambicus) at Tallo River in Macassart. International Journal of Health Research 5(3), 405-411.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Barboza LGA, Lopes C, Oliveira P, Bessa F, Otero V, Henriques B, Raimundo J, Caetano M, Vale C, Guilhermino L (2020) Microplastics in wild fish from North East Atlantic Ocean and its potential for causing neurotoxic effects, lipid oxidative damage, and human health risks associated with ingestion exposure. Science of The Total Environment 717, 134625.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Barboza LGA, Otero XL, Fernández EV, Vieira LR, Fernandes JO, Cunha SC, Guilhermino L (2023) Are microplastics contributing to pollution-induced neurotoxicity? A pilot study with wild fish in a real scenario. Heliyon 9, e13070.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Bellasi A, Binda G, Boldrocchi G, Pozzi A, Bettinetti R (2022) What are lake beaches made of? An assessment of plastic beach litter on the shores of Como Bay (Italy). Applied Sciences 12, 5388.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Blaxhall PC, Daisley KW (1973) Routine haematological methods for use with fish blood. Journal of Fish Biology 5, 771-781.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Choi J-H, Kim J-H (2023) Toxic effects of sub-acute microplastic (polyamide) exposure on the accumulation, hematological, and antioxidant responses in crucian carp, Carassius carassius. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 102, 104199.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Cole M, Lindeque P, Fileman E, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2015) The impact of polystyrene microplastics on feeding, function and fecundity in the marine copepod Calanus helgolandicus. Environmental Science & Technology 49, 1130-1137.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Crutzen PJ, Stoermer EF (2000) The Anthropocene. In ‘Global Change Newsletter’, vol. 41, pp. 17–18. (The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences: Stockholm, Sweden) Available at http://www.igbp.net/download/18.316f18321323470177580001401/1376383088452/NL41.pdf

Del Piano F, Lama A, Piccolo G, Addeo NF, Iaccarino D, Fusco G, Riccio L, De Biase D, Mattace Raso G, Meli R, Ferrante MC (2023) Impact of polystyrene microplastic exposure on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758): differential inflammatory and immune response between anterior and posterior intestine. Science of The Total Environment 879, 163201.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Divakaran S, Obaldo LG, Forster IP (2002) Note on the methods for determination of chromic oxide in shrimp feeds. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 50, 464-467.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Ferronato N, Torretta V (2019) Waste mismanagement in developing countries: a review of global issues. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, 1060.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Hao Y, Sun Y, Li M, Fang X, Wang Z, Zuo J, Zhang C (2023) Adverse effects of polystyrene microplastics in the freshwater commercial fish, grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): emphasis on physiological response and intestinal microbiome. Science of the Total Environment 856, 159270.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Hollerova A, Hodkovicova N, Blahova J, Faldyna M, Franc A, Pavlokova S, Tichy F, Postulkova E, Mares J, Medkova D, Kyllar M, Svobodova Z (2023) Polystyrene microparticles can affect the health status of freshwater fish – threat of oral microplastics intake. Science of The Total Environment 858, 159976.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Jabeen K, Li B, Chen Q, Su L, Wu C, Hollert H, Shi H (2018) Effects of virgin microplastics on goldfish (Carassius auratus). Chemosphere 213, 323-332.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Koelmans AA, Redondo-Hasselerharm PE, Nor NHM, de Ruijter VN, Mintenig SM, Kooi M (2022) Risk assessment of microplastic particles. Nature Reviews Materials 7, 138-152.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Lee J-H, Kang J-C, Kim J-H (2023) Toxic effects of microplastic (polyethylene) on fish: accumulation, hematological parameters and antioxidant responses in Korean bullhead, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco. Science of The Total Environment 877, 162874.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Lei L, Wu S, Lu S, Liu M, Song Y, Fu Z, He D (2018) Microplastic particles cause intestinal damage and other adverse effects in zebrafish Danio rerio and nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Science of the Total Environment 619, 1-8.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Liang W, Li B, Jong M-C, Ma C, Zuo C, Chen Q, Shi H (2023) Process-oriented impacts of microplastic fibers on behavior and histology of fish. Journal of Hazardous Materials 448, 130856.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Mbugani JJ, Machiwa JF, Shilla DA, Joseph D, Kimaro WH, Khan FR (2022) Impaired growth performance of Wami Tilapia juveniles (Oreochromis urolepis) (Norman, 1922) due to microplastic induced degeneration of the small intestine. Microplastics 1, 334-345.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Mohamed IA, Soliman HAM, Hana M, Lee J-S, Sayed AE-DH (2023) Toxicity of mixture of polyethylene microplastics and Up Grade pesticide on Oreochromis niloticus juvenile: I. Hemato-biochemical and histopathological alterations. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 101, 104213.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

National Research Council (2003) ‘Nutrient requirements of fish.’ (National Academies Press: Washington, DC, USA)

Ory NC, Sobral P, Ferreira JL, Thiel M (2017) Amberstripe scad Decapterus muroadsi (Carangidae) fish ingest blue microplastics resembling their copepod prey along the coast of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the South Pacific subtropical gyre. Science of The Total Environment 586, 430-437.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Pannetier P, Morin B, Le Bihanic F, Dubreil L, Clérandeau C, Chouvellon F, Van Arkel K, Danion M, Cachot J (2020) Environmental samples of microplastics induce significant toxic effects in fish larvae. Environment International 134, 105047.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Parker B, Andreou D, Green ID, Britton JR (2021) Microplastics in freshwater fishes: occurrence, impacts and future perspectives. Fish and Fisheries 22, 467-488.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Permatasari D, Fadjar M, Yuniarti A (2023) Survival rate and growth length of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to microplastics. Journal of Aquaculture and Fish Health 12, 86-93.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Raza T, Rasool B, Asrar M, Manzoor M, Javed Z, Jabeen F, Younis T (2023) Exploration of polyacrylamide microplastics and evaluation of their toxicity on multiple parameters of Oreochromis niloticus. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 30, 103518.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Rochman CM, Hoellein T (2020) The global odyssey of plastic pollution. Science 368, 1184-1185.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Rowland SJ (1991) Fisheries bulletin 4: diseases of Australian native freshwater fishes with particular emphasis on the ectoparasitic and fungal diseases of Murray cod (Maccullochella peeli), golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) and silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus). NSW Department of Agriculture, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Scherer C, Weber A, Lambert S, Wagner M (2018) Interactions of microplastics with freshwater biota. In ‘Freshwater microplastics’. (Eds M Wagner, S Lambert) pp. 153–180. (Springer International Publishing)

Snedecor GW, Cochran WG (1991) ‘Statistical methods’, 8th edn. (Iowa State University Press: Ames, IO, SA)

Steel R, Torrie J (1996) ‘Principles and procedures of statistics.’ (McGraw-Hill Book Co.: London, UK)

Sun X, Wang X, Booth AM, Zhu L, Sui Q, Chen B, Qu K, Xia B (2023) New insights into the impact of polystyrene micro/nanoplastics on the nutritional quality of marine jacopever (Sebastes schlegelii). Science of The Total Environment 903, 166560.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Tabassum S, Hussain SM, Ali S, Arsalan MZ-U-H, Ahmad B, Asrar M, Sharif A (2021) Partial replacement of fish meal with Moringa oleifera leaf meal in practical diets of Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings. Brazilian Journal of Biology 83, e246333.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Thushari GGN, Senevirathna JDM (2020) Plastic pollution in the marine environment. Heliyon 6, e04709.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

van Emmerik T, Mellink Y, Hauk R, Waldschläger K, Schreyers L (2022) Rivers as plastic reservoirs. Frontiers in Water 3, 786936.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Wedemeyer GA, Yasutake WT (1977) Clinical methods for the assessment of the effects of environmental stress on fish health. Technical Paper 89. (US Department of the Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service) Available at https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/tp89

Yin L, Liu H, Cui H, Chen B, Li L, Wu F (2019) Impacts of polystyrene microplastics on the behavior and metabolism in a marine demersal teleost, black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). Journal of Hazardous Materials 380, 120861.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Yuan Y, Sepúlveda MS, Bi B, Huang Y, Kong L, Yan H, Gao Y (2023) Acute polyethylene microplastic (PE-MPs) exposure activates the intestinal mucosal immune network pathway in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Chemosphere 311, 137048.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |