Unmasking effects of masks: Microplastics released from disposable surgical face masks induce toxic effects in microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus and Chlorella sp.
Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol
; 267: 109587, 2023 May.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2256314
ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic billions of face masks were used since they became a necessity in everyone's lives. But these were not disposed properly and serve as one of the most significant sources of micro and nano plastics in the environment. The effects of mask leached plastics in aquatic biota remains largely unexplored. In this work, we quantified and characterized the released microplastics from the three layers of the mask. The outer layer of the face mask released more microplastics i.e., polypropylene than middle and inner layers. We investigated and compared the acute toxic effects of the released microplastics between Scenedesmus obliquus and Chlorella sp. The results showed a decrease in cell viability, photosynthetic yield, and electron transport rate in both the algal species. This was accompanied by an increase in oxidative stress markers such reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. There was also a significant rise of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in both the algal cells. Furthermore, morphological changes like cell aggregation and surface chemical changes in the algae were ascertained by optical microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The tests confirmed that Scenedesmus obliquus was more sensitive than Chlorella sp. to the mask leachates. Our study clearly revealed serious environmental risk posed by the released microplastics from surgical face masks. Further work with other freshwater species is required to assess the environmental impacts of the mask leachates.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Water Pollutants, Chemical
/
Chlorella
/
Scenedesmus
/
Microalgae
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol
Journal subject:
Pharmacology
/
Toxicology
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.cbpc.2023.109587
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS