Research interests
Microplastics, anthropogenic pollution, genotoxicity , salmonid fish
Annotation of the dissertation
Microplastic has become an increasingly significant environmental issue, posing a threat to aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity, and even human health. This dissertation investigates the effects of microplastic, nanoplastic, and tire wear particles on salmonid fish, aiming to assess the toxic potential of these particles at various stages of fish development. The research utilizes cytogenetic, hematological, and antioxidant system biomarker analysis methods, and the effects are evaluated both through dietary and waterborne exposure. The experiments will include the toxicity analysis of various polymers and tire wear particles to identify the mechanisms of toxic effects. It is expected that the results of this dissertation will promote the integration of biological and chemical monitoring, provide new insights into the impact of microplastic on the structure and functionality of aquatic ecosystems, and enhance the understanding of causal relationships between environmental pollution and changes in biodiversity. The findings could serve as a foundation for developing biological impact assessment methods and sustainable water ecosystem management guidelines.
Peer-reviewed conference proceedings:
- Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M. 2022. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of nanoplastics on salmonid fish: a review on genotoxicity of an anthropogenic pollutant. 18th international conference of young scientists on energy and natural sciences issues, Proceedings of CYSENI 2022, ISSN 2783-6339, p. 567-578. May 24-27, 2022, Kaunas, Lithuania.
- Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M. 2021. Effects of microplastics on fish: a review on genotoxicity of an anthropogenic pollutant. 17th international conference of young scientists on energy and natural sciences issues, Proceedings of CYSENI 2021, ISSN 1822-7554, p. 1020-1029, 2021, Kaunas, Lithuania
- 2023.01. – Certificate in Laboratory Animal Science. Adequately educated and trained to perform any of the functions mentioned in Article 23 of the Directive 2010/63/EU
International scientific conferences:
- Bučaitė, A., Valskienė, R., Pažusienė, J., Sauliutė, G., Makaras, T., Danila, V., Stankevičiūtė, M. 2023. Assessing Risks Associated With Microplastic Exposure: Cytogenetic Evaluation on Different Ontogenesis Stages Of Salmonid Fish. SETAC 12th Young Environmental Scientists Meeting (YES) 28 August – 1 September 2023, Landau, Germany. https://yes2023.setac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/YES-Programme-and-abstract-book.pdf (žodinis pranešimas)
National scientific conferences:
- Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M. 2025. Not So Fantastic Plastic: How Microplastics Affect Fish At Different Developmental Stages. International Conference The COINS 2025, March 17-20. (žodinis pranešimas)
- Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M. 2024. Mikroplastiko poveikis žuvims, skirtingose jų vystymosi stadijose. 17-oji Lietuvos jaunųjų mokslininkų konferencija „Bioateitis: gamtos ir gyvybės mokslų perspektyvos“, 2024, lapkričio 21 d., Vilnius, Lietuva. (žodinis pranešimas)
- Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M., 2024. Erythrocytes size and shape changes in fish early-life stages after exposure to microplastics. International Conference The COINS 2024, April 15 18th, Vilnius, Lithuania. (žodinis pranešimas)
- Bučaitė, A., Sauliutė, G., Stankevičiūtė, M., 2024. Consequences of long-term exposure to microplastics and effects on cytogenetic and antioxidant biomarkers in fish. 67th international conference for students of physics and natural sciences “Open Readings 2024”, April 23rd–26th, Vilnius, Lithuania. Book of abstracts p. 108. (žodinis pranešimas)
- Bučaitė, A., Sauliutė, G., Stankevičiūtė, M. 2023. Effects on hematological and morphological parameters in fish after chronic exposure to microplastics. International Conference The COINS 2023, April 24th — April 27th, 2023, Vilnius, Lithuania. (stendinis pranešimas)
- Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M. 2023. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity assessment of microplastics on fish. 66th International Conference for Students of Physics and Natural Sciences „Open Readings 2023“. April 18th-21st, 2023. Vilnius, Lithuania. (stendinis pranešimas)
- Bučaitė, A., Dešč, E., Sauliutė, G., Stankevičiūtė, M. 2022. Toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles on salmonid fish. 3rd Baltic Biophysics Conference. October 6-7th, Saulėtekio av. 3, Vilnius, Lithuania. (stendinis pranešimas)
- Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M. 2022. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of nanoplastics on salmonid fish. 18th international conference of young scientists on energy and natural sciences issues, CYSENI, May 24-27, Kaunas, Lithuania. (žodinis pranešimas)
- Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M. 2022. Cytogenetic effects of exposure to microplastics on larval stage rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). International Conference The COINS 2022, February 28-March 3, 2022, Vilnius, Lithuania. (stendinis
pranešimas) - Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M, Pažusienė, J. 2021. Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of microplastics on Oncorhynchus mykiss: exploratory data analysis using machine learning. 64th International Conference for Students of Physics and Natural Sciences „Open Readings 2021“. March 16-19, 2021. Vilnius, Lithuania. (stendinis pranešimas)
- Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M. Globali vandens ekosistemų tarša mikroplastiku: šaltiniai ir genotoksiškumas žuvims. 24-oji Lietuvos jaunųjų mokslininkų konferencija “Mokslas – Lietuvos ateitis. Aplinkos apsaugos inžinerija”. Kovo 19 d., 2021. Vilnius, Lietuva. (žodinis pranešimas)
- Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M, Pažusienė, J. 2021. Long-term genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of microplastics on larval-stage Salmo trutta. International Conference The COINS 2021, March 30, 2021, Vilnius, Lithuania. (stendinis pranešimas)
- Bučaitė, A., Stankevičiūtė, M. 2021. Effects of microplastics on fish: a review on genotoxicity of an anthropogenic pollutant. 17th international conference of young scientists on energy and natural sciences issues, CYSENI, May 24-28, Kaunas, Lithuania. (žodinis pranešimas)