<i>In Vitro</i> Toxicity and Modeling Reveal Nanoplastic Effects on Marine Bivalves.

Abstract

Nanoplastics (NPs) represent a growing concern for global environmental health, particularly in marine ecosystems where they predominantly accumulate. The impact of NPs on marine benthic organisms, such as bivalves, raises critical questions regarding ecological integrity and food safety. Traditional methods for assessing NP toxicity are often limited by their time-intensive nature and ethical considerations. Herein, we explore the toxicological effects of NPs on the marine bivalve <i>Ruditapes philippinarum</i>, employing a combination of <i>in vitro</i> cellular assays and advanced modeling techniques. Results indicate a range of adverse effects at the organismal level, including growth inhibition (69.5-108%), oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage in bivalves, following exposure to NPs at concentrations in the range of 1.6 × 10⁹-1.6 × 10¹¹ particles/mL (p/mL). Interestingly, the growth inhibition predicted by models (54.7-104%), based on <i>in vitro</i> cellular proliferation assays, shows strong agreement with the <i>in vivo</i> outcomes of NP exposure. Furthermore, we establish a clear correlation between cytotoxicity observed <i>in vitro</i> and the toxicological responses at the organismal level. Taken together, this work suggests that the integration of computational modeling with <i>in vitro</i> toxicity assays can predict the detrimental effects of NPs on bivalves, offering insightful references for assessing the environmental risk assessment of NPs in marine benthic ecosystems.