Toxicity mechanisms of plastic nanoparticles in three terrestrial species: antioxidant system imbalance and neurotoxicity

The detrimental impacts of plastic nanoparticles (PNPs) are a worldwide concern, although knowledge is still limited, in particular for soil mesofauna. This study investigates the biochemical impact of 44 nm polystyrene PNPs on three soil models—Enchytraeus crypticus (Oligochaeta), Folsomia candida (Collembola) and Porcellionides pruinosus (Isopoda). Exposure durations of 3, 7 and 14 days (d) were implemented at two concentrations (1.5 and 300 mg kg−1 PNPs). Results revealed PNPs impact on the activities of the glutathione-dependent antioxidative enzyme, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and on the neurotransmitter acetylcholinesterase (AChE) for all three species. Catalase (CAT) played a minor role, primarily evident in F. candida at 300 mg kg−1 PNPs (CAT and GST response after 14 d), with no lipid peroxidation (LPO) increase. Even with the antioxidant defence, P. pruinosus was the most sensitive species for lipid oxidative damage (LPO levels increased after 7 d exposure to 300 mg kg−1 PNPs). Significant AChE inhibitions were measured already after 3 d to both PNP concentrations in F. candida and E. crypticus, respectively. Significant AChE inhibitions were also found in P. pruinosus but later (7 d). Overall, the toxicity mechanisms of PNPs involved antioxidant imbalance, being (mostly) the glutathione-associated metabolism part of that defence system. Neurotoxicity, linked to AChE activities, was evident across all species. Sensitivity to PNPs varied: P. pruinosus > F. candida ≅ E. crypticus. This pioneering study on PNPs toxicity in soil invertebrates underscores its environmental relevance, shedding light on altered biochemical responses, that may compromise ecological roles and soil ecosystem fitness.