Ecotoxicity evaluation using the avoidance response of the oribatid mite Oppia nitens (Acari: Oribatida) in bioplastics, microplastics, and contaminated Superfund field sites

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2024-07, Vol.359, p.142301-142301, Article 142301
• Main Authors: Akinwole, Philips O., Shaffer, Nina G., Zabot Pasini, Catarina, Carr, Kaija M., Brown, Kenneth L., Owojori, Olugbenga J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: avoidance behavior; Avoidance testing; Bioplastics; Contaminants; ecotoxicology; environmental assessment; habitats; heavy metals; microbial biomass; Microplastics; Oppia nitens; polluted soils; polyacrylic acid; polyethylene; polystyrenes; polyvinyl alcohol; risk assessment; Sarcoptiformes; sodium; soil fauna; soil pollution; toxicity
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142301

Bioplastics are considered sustainable alternatives to conventional microplastics which are recognized as a threat to terrestrial ecosystems. However, little is known about the potential ecotoxicological effects of bioplastics on soil fauna and ecosystems. The present study assessed the toxicity of microplastics [Polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene (PE)] and bioplastics [Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Sodium polyacrylate (NaPa) on a key soil fauna Oppia nitens, a soil oribatid mite, and investigated the ecological relevance of O. nitens avoidance response as a valuable tool for the risk assessment of contaminated soils such as the Superfund sites. Findings showed that the mites’ net response indicated avoidance behavior such that in most cases as concentrations of micro- and bioplastics increased, so did the avoidance responses. The avoidance EC50 endpoints showed PS