Polystyrene microplastic alters the redox state and arsenic metabolization in the freshwater bivalve Limnoperna fortunei

Most organisms possess the capacity to metabolize arsenic (As) accumulating compounds to less toxic forms, thus minimizing the adverse effect induced by this metalloid. However, other contaminants may to interfere with As metabolism, contributing to the accumulation of more toxic compounds. Microplastics (MPs) are omnipresent in aquatic environment and may induce toxicological effects (alone or in combination with other contaminants) on living organisms. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the exposure of the freshwater clam Limnoperna fortunei to a combination of MP (4 and 40 μg/L of polystyrene microbeads, 1.05 μm) and As (50 μg/L) for 48 h, evaluating the accumulation and metabolization of As and oxidative stress parameters, such as catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase activities, total antioxidant competence, reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid damage in the gills and digestive glands. Results revealed that low MP concentration disrupts the redox state of the digestive gland by a decrease in the antioxidant activity (CAT and total antioxidant capacity). GSH levels in the gills of animals exposed to MP (4 μg/L) alone and the combination of MP + As increased, concomitant with an increase in the percentage of toxic compounds, indicating the effect of MP on As metabolism. Although, few studies evaluated the effect of coexposure to MP + As by considering metabolization of metalloid in freshwater bivalve, our results revealed that exposure to MP reduced the metabolization capacity of As, favoring the accumulation of more toxic compounds besides the MP alone, which showed a pro-oxidant effect in L. fortunei.