posted on 2024-03-01, 13:04authored byLucas G. Queiroz, Caio C. A. Prado, Eduardo C. Melo, Beatriz R. Moraes, Paulo F. M. de Oliveira, Rômulo A. Ando, Teresa C. B. Paiva, Marcelo Pompêo, Bárbara Rani-Borges
Polystyrene (PS) is one of the main synthetic polymers
produced
around the world, and it is present in the composition of a wide variety
of single-use objects. When released into the environment, these materials
are degraded by environmental factors, resulting in microplastics.
We investigated the ability of Chironomus sancticaroli (Diptera, Chironomidae) to promote the fragmentation of PS microspheres
(24.5 ± 2.9 μm) and the toxic effects associated with exposure
to this polymer. C. sancticaroli larvae
were exposed to 3 different concentrations of PS (67.5, 135, and 270
particles g–1 of dry sediment) for 144 h. Significant
lethality was observed only at the highest concentration. A significant
reduction in PS particle size as well as evidence of deterioration
on the surface of the spheres, such as grooves and cracks, was observed.
In addition, changes in oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, CAT, MDA,
and GST) were also observed. This is the first study to report the
ability of Chironomus sp. to promote
the biofragmentation of microplastics. The information obtained demonstrates
that the macroinvertebrate community can play a key role in the degradation
of plastic particles present in the sediment of freshwater environments
and can also be threatened by such particle pollution.