Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.4
4.1
Journals
Toxics
Special Issues
Toxic Effects of Emerging Pollutants on Aquatic Organisms and Human
share announcement

Toxic Effects of Emerging Pollutants on Aquatic Organisms and Human

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Emerging Contaminants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 23 June 2026 | Viewed by 2216

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Christopher Martyniuk

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology & Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2187 Mowry Rd. Bldg 471, P.O. Box 110885, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Interests: molecular toxicology; omics; environmental science; neurodegeneration; high-throughput in vitro screening; neurotoxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Freshwater and marine species are uniquely exposed to emerging chemicals of concern through sewage effluent, run-off, and improper disposal of waste. In addition, drinking water containing chemicals is also a concern for human consumption and exposure. These environmental pollutants include a myriad of chemicals used in both aquaculture and agriculture, as well as products generated by industry. This Special Issue highlights the biological effects of novel insecticides, herbicides, product additives, plasticizers and plastic, and pharmaceuticals on aquatic animals and humans.  Studies that report on molecular (omics, computational biology), physiological, biochemical, behavioral, and morphological effects are encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Christopher Martyniuk
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • emerging contaminants
  • aquatics
  • human
  • molecular
  • biochemical
  • behavioral

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

32 pages, 3103 KB  
Article
The Invasive Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus as a Model for Assessing Sub-Lethal Effects of Polyvinyl Alcohol
by Alessandra Maganza, Giorgia Zicarelli, Giuseppe Esposito, Annalisa Cotugno, Alice Gabetti, Camilla Mossotto, Alessia Merialdi, Francesca Provenza, Serena Anselmi, Marzia Pezzolato, Elena Bozzetta, Monia Renzi, Marino Prearo, Caterina Faggio, Edoardo Turolla, Antonia Concetta Elia and Paolo Pastorino
Toxics 2026, 14(5), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14050358 - 24 Apr 2026
Viewed by 454
Abstract
Polyvinyl alcohols (PVAs) are synthetic, water-soluble polymers widely used in industrial, medical, and personal care products. Their slow biodegradation raises concerns about potential impacts on marine ecosystems. This study examined how PVA exposure affects the blue crab Callinectes sapidus, an invasive species [...] Read more.
Polyvinyl alcohols (PVAs) are synthetic, water-soluble polymers widely used in industrial, medical, and personal care products. Their slow biodegradation raises concerns about potential impacts on marine ecosystems. This study examined how PVA exposure affects the blue crab Callinectes sapidus, an invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea. Crabs were exposed to three PVA concentrations (0.5, 5, and 25 mg L−1) along with a control group, for periods of 10 and 20 days. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and lipid peroxidation levels in muscle, gill, and hepatopancreas. Cell viability in the hemolymph and hepatopancreas was also evaluated. The results showed that hepatopancreas cells were more sensitive than hemolymph cells. Oxidative stress increased with exposure time and concentration, as indicated by elevated antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation. After 10 days, early detoxification responses were observed, while after 20 days of exposure, clear dose- and time-dependent trends were evident, highlighting an intensification of physiological dysfunctions with increasing PVA concentrations and prolonged exposure duration. The histopathological observations showed limited alterations in muscle and hepatopancreas tissue but evident structural changes in gill tissues, particularly after prolonged exposure. The findings reveal a concentration- and time-dependent biological response to PVA, highlighting physiological changes at higher exposure levels and the need for further research on environmental consequences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxic Effects of Emerging Pollutants on Aquatic Organisms and Human)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

26 pages, 602 KB  
Review
New Insights into the Relationship Between Microplastics and Diabetes from the Perspective of the Gut–Liver Axis and Macrophage Regulation
by Huasen Wang, Ben Liu and Xiangfeng Zhao
Toxics 2026, 14(3), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14030241 - 10 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1413
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized as a global environmental threat. Emerging evidence suggests they may have metabolic consequences. In this review, we synthesize current findings from animal and in vitro studies to propose a mechanistic framework linking MP exposure to type 2 diabetes [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized as a global environmental threat. Emerging evidence suggests they may have metabolic consequences. In this review, we synthesize current findings from animal and in vitro studies to propose a mechanistic framework linking MP exposure to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This framework is uniquely centered on the gut–liver axis and macrophage-centric immune networks. We systematically delineate evidence suggesting that MPs can compromise intestinal barrier integrity, instigate gut dysbiosis, and promote pro-inflammatory M1 polarization of macrophages in experimental models. This immune activation is proposed to subsequently amplify hepatic inflammation, potentially contributing to systemic insulin resistance (IR) and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. We emphasize that while this pathway is biologically plausible, direct causal evidence in humans remains limited and is a critical knowledge gap. Integrating multi-level evidence from animal models and in vitro systems, we delve into the trans-organ immunometabolic effects of MPs within adipose tissue, pancreas, and skeletal muscle, establishing their role as a novel class of “metabolic disruptors.” Critically, we assess the key controversies and knowledge gaps pertaining to dose–response relationships, particle-specific toxicity (size, polymer type, and additives), the effects of complex environmental mixtures, and the urgent need for robust human validation. We advocate for future research priorities, including multi-omics integration, advanced organ-on-a-chip platforms, prospective cohort studies, and targeted intervention strategies, to propel this field from mechanistic exploration toward clinical and public health relevance. Finally, this synthesis underscores that mitigating the production and environmental release of MPs, alongside developing strategies to impede their bioavailability and accumulation, represents a crucial public health imperative for the prevention of environment-related metabolic diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxic Effects of Emerging Pollutants on Aquatic Organisms and Human)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop