Toxicity of green glitter on marine (Artemia salina) and sweetwater (Daphnia magna) species

Abstract

The term glitter refers to small, flat, reflective particles, considered a primary source microplastic. Although the 2016 bill 6.528-A proposes national regulations for plastic microspheres, aiming to ban their use in personal care products, cosmetics and perfumery, there are no regulations for glitter. In this study, the toxicity of green glitter on the microcrustaceans Artemia salina and Daphnia magna was evaluated, comparing the effects on animals from disparate habitats. It was observed that the glitter was toxic in both species, with observed effect concentrations (CEO) estimated at 50 mg/L. The lethal concentration at 50% of organisms (CL50-48h) for D. magna was 200 mg/L. Glitter is present in many everyday situations, but when dispersed in the water column in high concentrations, it can cause deleterious effects on aquatic organisms.