Meta-analysis unravels the complex combined toxicity of microplastics and antibiotics in aquatic ecosystems

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2024-06, Vol.929, p.172503, Article 172503
• Main Authors: Yu, Ziyue, An, Qiuying, Zhou, Tong, Zhou, Li, Yan, Bing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - toxicity; Antibiotics; Aquatic Organisms - drug effects; Aquatic system; Combined exposure; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; meta-analysis; Microplastics - toxicity; MPs; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172503

The aquatic ecosystem, a repository for various pollutants, has been identified as a crucial zone where microplastics (MPs) serve as vectors for antibiotics, facilitating their spread. Despite this, the influence of MPs on the toxicity of antibiotics remains a topic of debate. In this study, we conduct a global meta-analysis, examining 730 datasets from 29 laboratory studies. Our findings reveal that the impact of MPs on antibiotic toxicity is highly dependent on biological response pathways, microplastic concentration, antibiotic properties, and exposure time. We observed that MPs amplify the accumulation of antibiotics in aquatic organisms, significantly heightening their adverse effects on growth, development, and immune functions. Intriguingly, MPs appear to mitigate the reproductive toxicity caused by antibiotics. A notable inverse relationship was identified between antibiotic toxicity and microplastic concentration and exposure time. Furthermore, antibiotic concentration predominantly affects growth, development, and reproductive health, whereas exposure time is critical in determining antibiotic accumulation and immune-related toxicity. These insights underscore that microplastic co-exposure can modify the toxicological profile of antibiotics. The outcomes of this research enhance our comprehensive understanding of the intricate combined effects of MPs and antibiotics on aquatic life, emphasizing the necessity for informed scientific management of these emerging contaminants. [Display omitted] •Meta-analysis unravels the effects of MPs on the toxicity of antibiotics.•MPs enhanced antibiotics' accumulation and toxicity on several functions of organism.•MPs reduced the reproductive toxicity of antibiotics.•Antibiotic toxicity was inversely correlated to MPs concentration and exposure time.•Significant interactions were observed between concentration and exposure time.