Advancing microplastic detection in zebrafish with micro
computed tomography: A novel approach to revealing microplastic
distribution in organisms

J 2025

Advancing microplastic detection in zebrafish with micro computed tomography: A novel approach to revealing microplastic distribution in organisms

PAROBKOVA, Viktoria; Lukas MALECEK; Marek ZEMEK; Gabriela KALCIKOVA; Michaela VYKYPĚLOVÁ et. al.

Basic information

Original name

Advancing microplastic detection in zebrafish with micro computed tomography: A novel approach to revealing microplastic distribution in organisms

Authors

PAROBKOVA, Viktoria; Lukas MALECEK; Marek ZEMEK; Gabriela KALCIKOVA; Michaela VYKYPĚLOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution); Marcela BUCHTOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution); Ondřej ADAMOVSKÝ (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution); Tomas ZIKMUND and Jozef KAISER

Edition

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Amsterdam, Elsevier Science BV. 2025, 0304-3894

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Article in a journal

Field of Study

10511 Environmental sciences

Country of publisher

Netherlands

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

References:

URL

Impact factor

Impact factor: 12.200 in 2023

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137442

UT WoS

001421708400001

EID Scopus

2-s2.0-85216542750

Keywords in English

Microplastics; X-ray Computed Tomography; Environment; Plastic Pollution; Imaging

Abstract

V originále

The analysis of microplastics with current spectroscopic and pyrolytic methods is reaching its limits, especially with regard to detailed spatial distribution in biological tissues. This limitation hampers a comprehensive understanding of the effects of microplastics on organisms. Therefore, there is a pressing need to expand the analytical approaches to study microplastics in biota. In this context, the aim of this study was to test the applicability of non-destructive 3D imaging using X-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT) for the detection of microplastics in fish. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were gavaged with polyethylene spherical microplastics (30-110 mu m) and the distribution of microplastics in the gut was investigated using microCT. The results showed that the particle size distribution determined by microCT closely matched the data from conventional laser diffraction analysis. In addition, microCT was able to detect microplastics in spiked fish tissue and provide precise localization data by tracing particles of known type and shape. MicroCT offers a novel approach for tracking microplastics in organisms and enables accurate sizing without compromising the integrity of the tissue under investigation. It therefore represents a valuable addition to spectroscopic methods, which are widely used for the detection of microplastics based on their chemical composition but do not provide data on their spatial distribution.

Links

GF23-13617L, research and development project

Name: Vliv mikroplastů na modelové organismy a jejich osud v životním prostředí za použití zobrazovacích a spektroskopických technik

Investor: Czech Science Foundation, Investigating the environmental fate of microplastics and their effects on model organisms through structural and chemical imaging, Partner Agency (Slovenia)

Cite

PAROBKOVA, Viktoria; Lukas MALECEK; Marek ZEMEK; Gabriela KALCIKOVA; Michaela VYKYPĚLOVÁ; Marcela BUCHTOVÁ; Ondřej ADAMOVSKÝ; Tomas ZIKMUND and Jozef KAISER. Advancing microplastic detection in zebrafish with micro computed tomography: A novel approach to revealing microplastic distribution in organisms. Journal of Hazardous Materials. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science BV., 2025, vol. 488, May 2025, p. 1-12. ISSN 0304-3894. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137442.

@article{2483401,
   author = {Parobkova, Viktoria and Malecek, Lukas and Zemek, Marek and Kalcikova, Gabriela and Vykypělová, Michaela and Buchtová, Marcela and Adamovský, Ondřej and Zikmund, Tomas and Kaiser, Jozef},
   article_location = {Amsterdam},
   article_number = {May 2025},
   doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137442},
   keywords = {Microplastics; X-ray Computed Tomography; Environment; Plastic Pollution; Imaging},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {0304-3894},
   journal = {Journal of Hazardous Materials},
   title = {Advancing microplastic detection in zebrafish with micro computed tomography: A novel approach to revealing microplastic distribution in organisms},
   url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389425003541?via%3Dihub},
   volume = {488},
   year = {2025}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2483401
AU  - Parobkova, Viktoria - Malecek, Lukas - Zemek, Marek - Kalcikova, Gabriela - Vykypělová, Michaela - Buchtová, Marcela - Adamovský, Ondřej - Zikmund, Tomas - Kaiser, Jozef
PY  - 2025
TI  - Advancing microplastic detection in zebrafish with micro computed tomography: A novel approach to revealing microplastic distribution in organisms
JF  - Journal of Hazardous Materials
VL  - 488
IS  - May 2025
SP  - 1-12
EP  - 1-12
PB  - Elsevier Science BV.
SN  - 03043894
KW  - Microplastics
KW  - X-ray Computed Tomography
KW  - Environment
KW  - Plastic Pollution
KW  - Imaging
UR  - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389425003541?via%3Dihub
N2  - The analysis of microplastics with current spectroscopic and pyrolytic methods is reaching its limits, especially with regard to detailed spatial distribution in biological tissues. This limitation hampers a comprehensive understanding of the effects of microplastics on organisms. Therefore, there is a pressing need to expand the analytical approaches to study microplastics in biota. In this context, the aim of this study was to test the applicability of non-destructive 3D imaging using X-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT) for the detection of microplastics in fish. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were gavaged with polyethylene spherical microplastics (30-110 mu m) and the distribution of microplastics in the gut was investigated using microCT. The results showed that the particle size distribution determined by microCT closely matched the data from conventional laser diffraction analysis. In addition, microCT was able to detect microplastics in spiked fish tissue and provide precise localization data by tracing particles of known type and shape. MicroCT offers a novel approach for tracking microplastics in organisms and enables accurate sizing without compromising the integrity of the tissue under investigation. It therefore represents a valuable addition to spectroscopic methods, which are widely used for the detection of microplastics based on their chemical composition but do not provide data on their spatial distribution.
ER  -

PAROBKOVA, Viktoria; Lukas MALECEK; Marek ZEMEK; Gabriela KALCIKOVA; Michaela VYKYPĚLOVÁ; Marcela BUCHTOVÁ; Ondřej ADAMOVSKÝ; Tomas ZIKMUND and Jozef KAISER. Advancing microplastic detection in zebrafish with micro computed tomography: A novel approach to revealing microplastic distribution in organisms. \textit{Journal of Hazardous Materials}. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science BV., 2025, vol.~488, May 2025, p.~1-12. ISSN~0304-3894. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137442.

Přehled o publikaci