| Single and Combined Effects of Ceftazidime and Polystyrene Microplastics on Early Developmental Stages of Zebrafish |
| Paper ID : 1318-IGA |
| Authors |
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Ramona-Alexandra Ciausu *1, Ionut-Alexandru Chelaru2, Dorel Ureche3, Gabriel Andrei Andronic3, Alin Stelian Ciobica4, Mircea Nicusor Nicoara5 1Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi 2Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau 3Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau 4Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi Academy of the Romanian Scientists 5Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi |
| Abstract |
| Background: Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly contaminated with a mixture of emerging pollutants, including antibiotics and microplastics. Ceftazidime (CAZ), a β-lactam antibiotic widely used in human and veterinary medicine, frequently enters surface waters through wastewater discharge, where it may persist and exert ecotoxicological effects. One of the most common plastic pollutants, polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs), among the most prevalent plastic pollutants, can interact with other contaminants, altering their bioavailability and toxicity. Zebrafish embryos and larvae (Danio rerio) are a sensitive vertebrate model for assessing the developmental and behavioral toxicity of contaminants at environmentally relevant concentrations. Materials and Methods: Embryos were exposed to pollutants 5 hours post-fertilization (hpf) for 96 hours. After hatching, larval behavior was assessed using the DanioVision system. This study aimed to assess the individual and combined effects of 50 µg L⁻¹ CAZ, and 1 mg L⁻¹ PS-MPs on locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae using the light-dark test. Results: Behavioral endpoints - including total distance moved, swimming velocity, and time or frequency spent in center and near the walls zones - were quantified following exposure. ANOVA method revealed group differences across both light and dark phases. The larvae exposed to CAZ or PS-MPs displayed reduced locomotor activity and increased thigmotaxis, indicative of an increased anxiety-like response. Combined exposure (CAZ + PS-MPs) further intensified these behavioral alterations, suggesting synergistic neurobehavioral toxicity. Conclusion: These findings suggest that interactions between antibiotics and microplastics exacerbate stress-related behavioral alterations in zebrafish larvae, underscoring the potential ecological and neurotoxic risks associated with combined pollutant exposure in aquatic environments. |
| Keywords |
| Ceftazidime, Polystyrene microplastics, Zebrafish larvae, behavior |
| Status: Accepted |
