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Acute Toxicity Effects of Aged Polyethylene and Polylactic Acid Microplastics on Microcystis aeruginosa: Growth and Oxidative Stress Response
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Researchers compared the acute toxicity of aged polyethylene (conventional plastic) and polylactic acid (biodegradable plastic) microplastics on the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. Aged PLA microplastics inhibited algal growth more than aged PE, and UV-aged particles were more toxic than heat-aged ones for both plastic types. The study suggests that biodegradable plastics may not be less harmful than conventional plastics once they begin degrading in the environment.
The usage of biodegradable plastics as a substitute for traditional plastics is increasing yearly. However, the toxicity of biodegradable microplastics to freshwater microalgae is still unclear compared to traditional microplastics; In addition, the toxic release effects of different aging methods on biodegradable plastics are also unknown. Taking polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) as the research objects, the acute toxicity (96 h) of Microcystis aeruginosa under high temperature aging (HT) and ultraviolet aging (UV) conditions was investigated. Results showed that more cracks appeared on the surface of aged PLA, and the inhibition effect on microalgae was greater than that of aged PE. Moreover, the inhibition rate of microplastics on microalgae after UV aging (PLA: 39.64%, PE: 32.66%) was higher than that of HT aging (PLA: 30.95%, PE: 26.36%). In addition, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the treatment groups subjected to UV aging (PLA: 7-45%, PE: 3-28%) increased more than those subjected to HT aging (PLA: 6-31%, PE: 2-20%). This study revealed the toxicity difference between PLA and PE on Microcystis aeruginosa under different aging conditions, which provided a theoretical basis for studying the effects of aging biodegradable plastics on freshwater microalgae.
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Effects of micro-sized biodegradable plastics on Microcystis aeruginosa
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Researchers tested how micro-sized biodegradable plastics made from polylactic acid and polyhydroxybutyrate affect a common freshwater cyanobacterium. They found that even biodegradable microplastics inhibited the growth and photosynthetic activity of the organism, though to a lesser extent than conventional plastics. The study suggests that switching to biodegradable plastics does not eliminate the risk of microplastic-related harm to aquatic microorganisms.
Revealing the environmental hazard posed by biodegradable microplastics in aquatic ecosystems: An investigation of polylactic acid's effects on Microcystis aeruginosa
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Researchers tested whether biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics are safer for aquatic life than traditional plastics by exposing the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to them for 63 days. Surprisingly, PLA microplastics actually promoted algae growth despite causing oxidative stress and cell damage, which could fuel harmful algal blooms. This suggests that so-called biodegradable plastics may still pose environmental risks and are not necessarily a safe alternative in aquatic ecosystems.
Biodegradable and conventional microplastics posed similar toxicity to marine algae Chlorella vulgaris
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Researchers compared the toxicity of biodegradable microplastics made from polylactic acid and polybutylene succinate with conventional microplastics made from polyethylene and polyamide on marine algae. They found that both types inhibited algal growth and photosynthesis to a similar degree, causing comparable oxidative stress and cell membrane damage. The study challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are inherently safer for marine ecosystems than conventional plastics.
Distinct exposure impact of non-degradable and biodegradable microplastics on freshwater microalgae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa): Implications for polylactic acid as a sustainable plastic alternative
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This study compared how aged biodegradable PLA microplastics and conventional polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics affect freshwater algae. While PLA caused milder stress and prompted algae to produce protective compounds, conventional plastics inhibited photosynthesis and caused more severe cellular damage. The findings suggest that PLA may be a genuinely less harmful alternative to traditional plastics for aquatic ecosystems, though it still causes some biological stress.
Long-term exposure to biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics promotes Microcystis aeruginosa proliferation
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Researchers conducted a 45-day co-culture experiment exposing the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics. PLA-MPs promoted algal growth and photosynthetic activity and altered nutrient cycling, suggesting that biodegradable plastic particles can unexpectedly fuel cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater ecosystems.
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