Real-time assessment of the impacts of polystyrene and silver nanoparticles on the hatching process and early-stage development of Artemia using a microfluidic platform

Abstract

Development of real-time in situ monitoring techniques is crucial for a mechanistic understanding of the impacts of pollution on the marine environment. Here, we investigate how different nanopollutants impact the vulnerable hatching process and early-stage development of marine organisms, by observing real-time oxygen consumption and morphological changes using a microfluidic platform. We compare the effects of polystyrene (PS) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) at environmentally relevant NP doses from 0–1 mg L⁻¹ on the hatching process and nauplius stage of Artemia. The four stages of Artemia hatching – hydration, differentiation, emergence, and hatching – are distinguished by both metabolism and morphology. NP exposure altered the hydration duration at the lowest dose, prolonging differentiation, and slowing emergence from the cysts resulting in a shortened hatching period within 24 h experimental duration. NPs also increased oxygen demand in each hatching stage except differentiation. Overall hatchability rose with NP concentration, while survivability showed an inverse trend. This might be attributed to increased NP aggregation in saltwater at higher concentrations which decreases bioavailability during hatching but not post-hatch consumption. Overall, Ag NPs had a greater impact on hatching and mortality than PS NPs. Both NPs significantly affected the swimming speed; PS NPs decreased the speed, Ag NPs increased it.