ACUTE EXPOSURE OF PP, LDPE & HDPE MICROPLASTICS ON MARINE MICRO-CRUSTACEAN (Artemia salina)

Abstract

The contamination of marine ecosystems due to microplastics pollution represents a critical environmental threat. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment and comparative analysis of the potential risks posed by individual and combined microplastics on the filter-feeding micro crustacean, Artemia salina. Recognizing the extensive presence of microplastics in the environment, this research specifically focused on evaluating the impacts of three prominent microplastics types, Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) commonly encountered in aquatic environments. The research findings showed significant variations in the lethal concentration (LC50) values among individual microplastics. Notably, PP, HDPE, and LDPE exhibited LC50 values of 124, 107, and 103 mg/l, respectively. Remarkably, when all three microplastics coexisted, there was a substantial reduction in the LC50 value to 68.2 mg/l. This decrease indicated an elevated mortality rate among Artemia salina, underscoring the compounded stress imposed by the simultaneous presence of these plastic polymers. This suggested that combined exposure to multiple microplastics may pose a more severe threat to the survival of Artemia salina than exposure to each type individually. Swimming behavior

was significantly affected as microplastics concentrations rise, in both mono and co- exposure scenarios. Bioaccumulation analysis indicates comparable microplastics

accumulation at lower concentrations, but higher concentrations lead to increased accumulation in Artemia salina due to heightened environmental microplastics abundance.