plSSN : 0374-8111 | elSSN : 2287-8815
plSSN : 0374-8111 | elSSN : 2287-8815
plSSN : 0374-8111elSSN : 2287-8815
강정훈·고지연·유영빈·최재호·이주형·강주찬*
부경대학교 수산생명의학과
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of polyethylene microplastic (PE-MPs) via measuring the growth performance, hematological parameters, and antioxidant responses in Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegelii exposed to waterborne polyethylene microplastic with dimensions of 22-71 μm. S. schlegelii (mean weight, 34.55±5.82 g; mean length, 12.59±0.79 cm) were exposed to PE-MPs at concentrations of 0, 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200 μg/L for 10 and 20 days. PE-MPs significantly affected growth performance, hematological parameters, plasma components, and antioxidant responses in a concentration-dependent manner. At a concentration ≥1,600 μg/L, PE-MPs significantly decreased body weight gain and specific growth rate, and significantly increased the hepatosomatic index. Hematological parameters showed a significant decrease in total red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels. Plasma components showed a significant increase in glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transaminase levels, whereas total protein, calcium, and magnesium levels significantly decreased. Exposure to ≥1,600 μg/L PE-MPs also induced reactive oxygen species generation in the gill and liver, significantly increasing superoxide dismutase and catalase activity. These findings suggest that exposure to ≥1,600 μg/L PE-MPs could significantly change growth performance, hematological parameters, plasma components, and antioxidant responses, resulting in physiological toxicity.
Polyethylene, Microplastic, Hematological parameters, Antioxidant responses