Gastropods as Suitable Models for the Assessment of Microplastic Pollution: Advances, Challenges, and Current Progress
摘要
Gastropods have been used as models for assessing ecosystem health, including the ecotoxicological effects of traditional and emerging pollutants. Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous emerging pollutants considered as a threat to molluscs, including aquatic and land snails. Thus, the current chapter aims to summarise the advantages and challenges of using gastropods as a model system in ecotoxicology, as well as the current progress on bioaccumulation and multiple biomarker responses of gastropods exposed to MPs. Gastropods can absorb MPs from the environment and accumulate these particles mainly in the intestine and stomach. Despite the presence of MPs in pedal mucus, foot, and faeces, little is known about their toxicokinetic in gastropods. A variety of biomarkers have been used to characterise the effects of MPs on gastropods, including biochemical, cellular, histopathological, behavioural, and developmental biomarkers. Overall, gastropods are a valuable model for assessing the bioaccumulation and environmental impact of emerging pollutants, including plastic particles.