We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Impact of nanoplastics on the algicide efficacy of CuSO4 against Microcystis aeruginosa and the release of microcystin: A physiological and metabolomic analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how nanoplastics affect the ability of copper sulfate to control Microcystis aeruginosa harmful algal blooms, finding that nanoplastics altered copper bioavailability and toxicity, reducing the efficacy of this common algicide.
CuSO is frequently employed as a control measure for the emergency treatment of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms. Concurrently, nano-plastics (NPs) have emerged as pervasive pollutants exacerbating the threat of eutrophication to aquatic ecosystem. However, there is little known regarding the influence of NPs on the efficacy of copper sulfate (CuSO) in controlling cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs). Here, we demonstrate that the co-existence of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS NPs) exacerbates the negative effects of CuSO to photosynthetic activity of Microcystis aeruginosa. This is caused via the differences in disrupting light energy absorption, inactivation of the reaction center, as well as disruptions in electron transport and metabolic pathways, which collectively induce oxidative stress and damage cell membrane. Treatment with either NPs or CuSO alone results in the downregulation of carbon-fixation, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and pyruvate metabolism. Co-existence of NPs significantly influenced ABC transporters, carbon fixation, and the two-component system in M. aeruginosa. Notably, while single CuSO₄ treatment increased microcystin- leucine arginine (MC-LR) levels by 243.3 % relative to controls, combining CuSO₄ with NPs (PS, PS-NH₂, PS-COOH) significantly reduced MC-LR concentrations by 73.5 %, 90.2 %, and 70.7 %, respectively (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that NPs exacerbated the oxidative stress induced by CuSO on M. aeruginosa cell, while concurrently reducing MCs release. Furthermore, the underlying molecular mechanisms were systematically investigated. These findings provided novel insights into the crucial importance of considering NPs impact prior to the application of CuSO for the management of (cyanoHABs).
More Papers Like This
Single and combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and copper on Platymonas helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis: Perspectives from growth inhibition, chlorophyll content and oxidative stress
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the single and combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and copper on the marine microalga Platymonas helgolandica. The study found that copper alone inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner, while nanoplastics modified copper's bioavailability and altered the combined toxic response. The results suggest that the interaction between nanoplastics and heavy metals can produce complex toxicity patterns that differ from individual exposures.
Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa in the Presence of Nanoplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that nanoplastic contamination altered the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide as a control measure for cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms, with the combined stressor effects depending on temperature and light conditions in a high-throughput multistressor experiment.
Influence of polystyrene microplastic and nanoplastic on copper toxicity in two freshwater microalgae
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics affect the toxicity of copper to two freshwater microalgae species over extended exposure periods. They found that microplastics generally reduced copper toxicity by adsorbing copper ions, while nanoplastics had more variable effects depending on concentration and algal species. The study highlights that the size of plastic particles plays an important role in how they modify the bioavailability and toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic environments.
Micro- and nanoplastic stress intensifies Microcystis aeruginosa physiology and toxin risks under environmentally relevant water chemistry conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to environmentally relevant concentrations of micro- and nanoplastics, finding both significantly enhanced algal biomass and microcystin toxin production, with nanoplastics additionally promoting extracellular toxin release.
The combined toxicity effect of nanoplastics and glyphosate on Microcystis aeruginosa growth
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that cationic nanoplastics adsorb glyphosate so strongly that co-exposure actually reduces the herbicide's toxicity to algae by sequestering it — but the nanoplastics coated in glyphosate adhere more readily to algal surfaces, potentially concentrating both pollutants further up the food chain.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.