Effects of ibuprofen and microplastics on movement, growth and reproduction in the freshwater snail Physella acuta
Emerging contaminants such as microplastics and pharmaceuticals in freshwater ecosystems are a growing concern, seriously affecting aquatic organisms. Ibuprofen, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, is commonly found in rivers, streams, and water systems where it is discharged. As a result, organis...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1514062/full |
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| author | Daniel Elías Jazmin Ramirez Vieytez Morena Funoy Sayar Jorge Loaisiga Ayden Harper Jason Doll |
| author_facet | Daniel Elías Jazmin Ramirez Vieytez Morena Funoy Sayar Jorge Loaisiga Ayden Harper Jason Doll |
| author_sort | Daniel Elías |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Emerging contaminants such as microplastics and pharmaceuticals in freshwater ecosystems are a growing concern, seriously affecting aquatic organisms. Ibuprofen, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, is commonly found in rivers, streams, and water systems where it is discharged. As a result, organisms that inhabit these environments, such as snails, are affected in their natural habitats. This study examines the effects of microplastics (10 μg/L), ibuprofen (500 μg/L), and a combination of ibuprofen (500 μg/L) and microplastics (10 μg/L) on growth, movement, and reproduction in Physella acuta, a freshwater snail species. While no significant effects were observed on movement or number of egg clusters, there was a significant decrease in growth when snails were exposed to microplastics or the combination of microplastics and ibuprofen (p = 0.021). Additionally, snail egg production decreased when exposed to ibuprofen (p = 0.001) but increased when exposed to microplastics (p = 0.002). Microplastic exposure produced more eggs than ibuprofen (p < 0.001) and ibuprofen and microplastics combined (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that ibuprofen affects growth and the total number of eggs, likely due to oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, or disrupted hormonal pathways. In contrast, microplastics may have caused digestive system blockage, thus affecting energy allocation for growth and reproduction. Changes in snail fitness can directly and indirectly affect food webs and nutrient cycles, highlighting the need for research on these pollutants to understand their chronic and long-term effects on ecosystems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-89e630e2a92741c49c1036e5eb24fdda |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-665X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-89e630e2a92741c49c1036e5eb24fdda2025-01-06T06:59:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2025-01-011210.3389/fenvs.2024.15140621514062Effects of ibuprofen and microplastics on movement, growth and reproduction in the freshwater snail Physella acutaDaniel Elías0Jazmin Ramirez Vieytez1Morena Funoy Sayar2Jorge Loaisiga3Ayden Harper4Jason Doll5Environmental Science Program, North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, NC, United StatesEnvironmental Science Program, North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, NC, United StatesEnvironmental Science Program, North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, NC, United StatesEnvironmental Science Program, North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, NC, United StatesEnvironmental Science Program, North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, NC, United StatesDepartment of Biology, Francis Marion University, Florence, SC, United StatesEmerging contaminants such as microplastics and pharmaceuticals in freshwater ecosystems are a growing concern, seriously affecting aquatic organisms. Ibuprofen, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, is commonly found in rivers, streams, and water systems where it is discharged. As a result, organisms that inhabit these environments, such as snails, are affected in their natural habitats. This study examines the effects of microplastics (10 μg/L), ibuprofen (500 μg/L), and a combination of ibuprofen (500 μg/L) and microplastics (10 μg/L) on growth, movement, and reproduction in Physella acuta, a freshwater snail species. While no significant effects were observed on movement or number of egg clusters, there was a significant decrease in growth when snails were exposed to microplastics or the combination of microplastics and ibuprofen (p = 0.021). Additionally, snail egg production decreased when exposed to ibuprofen (p = 0.001) but increased when exposed to microplastics (p = 0.002). Microplastic exposure produced more eggs than ibuprofen (p < 0.001) and ibuprofen and microplastics combined (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that ibuprofen affects growth and the total number of eggs, likely due to oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, or disrupted hormonal pathways. In contrast, microplastics may have caused digestive system blockage, thus affecting energy allocation for growth and reproduction. Changes in snail fitness can directly and indirectly affect food webs and nutrient cycles, highlighting the need for research on these pollutants to understand their chronic and long-term effects on ecosystems.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1514062/fullibuprofenmicroplasticsPhysella acutaecotoxicologyreproductionaquatic pollutants |
| spellingShingle | Daniel Elías Jazmin Ramirez Vieytez Morena Funoy Sayar Jorge Loaisiga Ayden Harper Jason Doll Effects of ibuprofen and microplastics on movement, growth and reproduction in the freshwater snail Physella acuta Frontiers in Environmental Science ibuprofen microplastics Physella acuta ecotoxicology reproduction aquatic pollutants |
| title | Effects of ibuprofen and microplastics on movement, growth and reproduction in the freshwater snail Physella acuta |
| title_full | Effects of ibuprofen and microplastics on movement, growth and reproduction in the freshwater snail Physella acuta |
| title_fullStr | Effects of ibuprofen and microplastics on movement, growth and reproduction in the freshwater snail Physella acuta |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of ibuprofen and microplastics on movement, growth and reproduction in the freshwater snail Physella acuta |
| title_short | Effects of ibuprofen and microplastics on movement, growth and reproduction in the freshwater snail Physella acuta |
| title_sort | effects of ibuprofen and microplastics on movement growth and reproduction in the freshwater snail physella acuta |
| topic | ibuprofen microplastics Physella acuta ecotoxicology reproduction aquatic pollutants |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1514062/full |
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