Eco-biocompatible periphyton-inhabited polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyacrylic acid (PAC) sheets indicate aquaculture bio-sustainability by oxidative stress and steatosis in zebrafish†

Abstract

Aquaculture practices increasingly rely on synthetic materials for tank construction, with poly vinyl chloride (PVC) and poly acrylic acid sheets (PAC) being prevalent due to their durability and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, periphytons play a crucial role in determining the efficiency of aquaculture. The eco-compatibility and impact on aquatic biota remain under-explored in the synthetic materials embedded with periphyton. This study investigates the effects of periphyton-inhabited PVC and PAC on the developmental and cellular physiological phenomena of embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio). By exposing zebrafish embryos to aqueous environments containing periphyton-inhabited PVC and PAC sheets, we assessed the morphological development, survival rates, hatching rates, heart rates, and cellular stress responses. The presence of periphyton on these surfaces created microhabitats and was hypothesized to facilitate the recruitment and growth of desirable species, contributing to overall cellular and molecular biocompatibility. The cellular and molecular level assessment was done to gain mechanistic insights into the eco-biocompatibility of polymer sheets. Our findings indicate that exposure to periphyton inhabiting both materials can affect zebrafish embryogenesis, manifesting in developmental delays, increased mortality, and elevated cellular stress levels. Notably, PAC exhibited a higher degree of eco-compatibility compared to PVC, which showed more pronounced toxicological effects. The study detailed the ecotoxicological impact of PVC and PAC sheets with an indication of further research on eco-compatible design in aquaculture.