Osmoregulatory responses in the neotropical fish species Astyanax lacustris, exposed to single and combined microplastics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and their mixture

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) pollution poses a significant environmental threat. These MPs can adsorb toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are highly lipophilic and carcinogenic. To assess the potential effects of virgin MP, PAH, and MP+PAH in association with osmoregulation and energetic substrate, we conducted experiments with the tetra cardinal Astyanax lacustris. The environmentally relevant concentration of MP (10 mg L^-1) and 20 % of the LC₅₀-96 h of crude oil for A. lacustris (2.28 µg L^-1) were used during the 96-h exposure. Fish were exposed to virgin MP, PAH, MPC (MP loaded with PAH), PAH+MP (PAH and MP in association), and the control without (CT) and with handling (CH). After 96 h, blood was collected for osmoregulatory parameters (plasma osmolality; Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, Mg²⁺; glycose and lactate); gills for osmoregulatory enzyme activities (Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase, H⁺ ATPase, and carbonic anhydrase); and white muscle samples were used to determine glycogen as an energetic substrate. The low molecular weight PAH was not detected in PAH-loaded MP (MPC) and PAH in combination with MP (PAH+MP). The PAH concentration of the MPC and PAH+MP was similar and low compared to other works. Virgin MP, PAH, MPC, and PAH+MP were able to cause muscle glycogen depletion. The activity of v-type H⁺ ATPase and plasma Na⁺ concentrations were lower in PAH with MP (MPC). However, the hydromineral balance (K⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^-, and osmolality) was not affected by any treatment. In this sense, we can conclude that the MPC caused osmoregulatory disturbances not seen in the MP associated with PAH (MP+PAH). However, this seems unrelated to the PAH leaking from the MPC or the PAH absorption to the virgin MP once the PAH concentrations from the MPC and PAH+MP were similar.

Keywords: Freshwater fish; Osmoregulation; Polyethylene.