Maternal Effect of Polyethylene Microplastic Fragments Containing Benzophenone-3 in Different Ages and Broods of Daphnia Magna.

The maternal effect of microplastics (MPs) toxicity is likely influenced by age and brood of test species. This study investigated the maternal effect of polyethylene MP fragments (18.23 ± 8.02 μm) with benzophenone-3 (BP-3; 2.89 ± 0.20% w/w) on chronic toxicity to Daphnia magna over two generations. Neonate (< 24 h old) and adult (5 d old) daphnids in the F0 generation were exposed until 21 d old, then first and third brood neonates in the F1 generation were recovered in clean M4 medium for 21 d. Higher chronic toxicity and maternal effect of MP/BP-3 fragments were observed in the adult group compared with the neonate group, reducing growth and reproduction in both F0 and F1 generations. First brood neonates in the F1 generation showed a higher maternal effect of MP/BP-3 fragments than third brood ones, resulting in enhanced growth and reproduction relative to the control. This study provided insights into the ecological risk of MPs containing plastic additives in the natural environment.