Researchers from CESAM/DBIO, in collaboration with LAQV-REQUIMTE at the University of Aveiro, warn about the environmental impacts of platinum-group metals on aquatic ecosystems.
The study is authored by Gabriela Praça and Mariana Rodrigues, former undergraduate students in Biology at the Department of Biology of the University of Aveiro; Marta Cunha, CESAM PhD student; Carla Leite, PhD student at CESAM and LAQV-REQUIMTE; Amadeu Soares, CESAM researcher and professor at the Department of Biology of the University of Aveiro; Eduarda Pereira, researcher at LAQV-REQUIMTE; and Rosa Freitas, CESAM researcher and professor at the Department of Biology of the University of Aveiro.
The research analyses the effects of platinum, palladium and rhodium—metals widely used in automotive catalysts, industrial processes and medical applications—which have been continuously accumulating in the environment, while their biological effects remain poorly understood, particularly when present in mixtures.
To assess these impacts, researchers studied the response of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, a species commonly used as a bioindicator of marine environmental quality. Organisms were exposed for 28 days to concentrations of each metal, both individually and in different combinations.
The results show that each metal triggers distinct effects: platinum stimulated energy metabolism and activated detoxification mechanisms at low concentrations; palladium compromised energy reserves and metabolic efficiency at higher doses; and rhodium stood out for its ability to induce significant oxidative damage to lipids and proteins.
When combined, the effects became more complex and harder to predict. Mixtures of platinum with palladium or rhodium produced synergistic responses in metabolism and cellular detoxification, while simultaneous exposure to all three metals revealed a distinct profile, with predominantly additive responses.
According to the researchers, this work reinforces the need to consider contaminant mixtures when assessing risks to coastal ecosystems, highlighting the importance of advancing knowledge on emerging contaminants associated with human activities.
News coverage: SIC Notícias, March 16, 2026, and UA News, March 12, 2026.