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Research paper Issue
Gender-Specific Reproductive Toxicity of Biodegradable Microplastics and Bisphenol F in Medaka (Oryzias latipes)
Periodical of Ocean University of China 2026, 56(9): 141-153
Published: 01 September 2026
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To investigate the combined effects of exposure to biodegradable microplastics (MPs) and bisphenol substitutes in aquatic organisms, this study selected polylactide (PLA) as a representative biodegradable MP and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a conventional non-biodegradable counterpart. Adult medaka (Oryzias latipes) were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of MPs (20 μg·L-1) and bisphenol F (BPF, 2 μg·L-1). Behavioral performance was evaluated, with a particular focus on reproductive toxicity. Co-exposure of PLA or PET with BPF significantly impaired swimming performance, and the inhibitory effect was stronger in the PLA group. Importantly, reproductive assessments revealed clear sex-specific responses. PLA and BPF co-exposure primarily affected females and induced ovarian cell apoptosis and degenerative alterations; In contrast, PET and BPF co-exposure caused more pronounced structural damage in male testes. These findings reveal the gender-specific reproductive toxicity induced by combined exposure to biodegradable MPs and bisphenol substitutes, and provide a scientific basis for the ecological risk assessment of biodegradable MPs.

Research paper Issue
Effect of DissolvedBiochar on the Horizontal Transfer of Extracellular Antibiotic Resistance Genes by Transformation in Aquatic Environments
Periodical of Ocean University of China 2025, 55(3): 70-82
Published: 01 March 2025
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The coexistence of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs) and dissolved biochar (DBC) in surface water environments has drawn widespread attention. However, the effect of DBC on the transformation-mediated horizontal transferprocess of eARGs in aquatic environment remains unknown. In this study, DBC released from reed (Phragmites australis) and reed bamboo (Arundo donax) biochar at different pyrolysis temperatures (300~600 ℃) was selected to investigate its effect on the transformation of the resistance plasmid pBR322 into Escherichia coli (E. coli) DH5α. The results showed that the effect of DBC on the transformation of pBR322 was promoted by low concentration (1 mg·L-1) and inhibited by high concentration (10 mg·L-1), and the inhibitory effect of DBC increased with the rising of pyrolysis temperature. DBC could inactivate the eARGs through disrupting the structure of the pBR322 plasmid. At low concentrations, soluble microbial byproduct-like material, and heavy metals in DBC can induce its SOS responsein recipient bacteria, thereby facilitating their uptake of plasmids. However, at high concentrations (5~10 mg·L-1), DBC activated the cellular stress defense system of the bacteria, decreased cell membrane permeability, and hindered the access of plasmid to the competent cell. Meanwhile, random forest model(R2= 0.627 9, MSE=0.002 67) revealed that fulvic acid, soluble microbial byproduct-like material, pH value and heavy metals in DBC play key roles in the transformation process. In addition, structural equation modelling demonstrated that the reduction of DNA replication activity is the main factor inhibiting the transformation of eARGs.This study extends our understanding of how dissolved organic matter drives the environmental fate of emerging pollutants ARGs in aquatic environments, providing a scientific basis for the establishment of biochar-based pollution control technologies for ARGs in aquatic environments.

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