Biochemical effects from the co-exposure of heavy metals and biomicroplastics in tilapia

The manufacture, characterisation, use, and degradation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) are the main areas of research into this plastic substitute in light of plastic pollution. However, little is known about PHA's capacity to bioaccumulate in the food chain and serve as a vector for heavy metal contaminants. Thus, information was gathered from the experiments of pollutant sorption, pollutant bioaccumulation, and antioxidant-enzyme modulation of four microparticles in single and co-exposure to lead (Pb) and copper (Cu): poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)], poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)], polylactic acid (PLA), and polyethylene (PE).