Uptake and effects of the antimicrobial florfenicol, microplastics and their mixtures on freshwater exotic invasive bivalve Corbicula fluminea

Abstract Microplastics and antimicrobials are widely spread environmental contaminants and more research on their toxicity is needed. The uptake and effects of the antimicrobial florfenicol, microplastics, and their mixtures on Corbicula fluminea were investigated. Bivalves were exposed for 96 h to florfenicol (1.8 and 7.1 mg/l), microplastics (0.2 and 0.7 mg/l), or mixtures of the two substances. After 96 h, all bivalves exposed to antimicrobial treatments had florfenicol in their body (e.g. 2 ± 1 μg/g). Microplastics were found in the gut, lumen of the digestive gland, connective tissue, hemolymphatic sinuses, and gills surface of animals. Florfenicol caused a significant inhibition of cholinesterase (ChE) activity (~ 32%). Animals exposed to 0.2 mg/l of microplastics showed ChE activity inhibition (31%), and no other significant alterations. Mixtures caused feeding inhibition (57–83%), significant ChE inhibition (44–57%) and of isocitrate dehydrogenase activity, and increased anti-oxidant enzymes activity and lipid peroxidation levels. Overall, the results indicate that C. fluminea take up florfenicol and microplastics from the water and accumulated or at least retained it in their body for some time; both florfenicol (low ppm range) and microplastics (ppb range) were toxic to C. fluminea , with mixtures containing florfenicol and microplastics being more toxic. Thus, the risk of exposure and toxic effects of florfenicol to C. fluminea and other bivalves, and its predators increase in ecosystems contaminated with the antimicrobial and microplastics, as well as to humans consuming contaminated species from these ecosystems.