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Polystyrene nanoparticles stimulate the growth and microcystin synthesis of Microcystis aeruginosa
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Tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics, which are now found in freshwater lakes and rivers, actually help a toxic algae called Microcystis grow faster and produce more poison (microcystin) that can make people sick. This is concerning because it means nanoplastics could make harmful algal blooms worse and increase the toxins that contaminate our drinking water sources. Understanding how plastics affect these algae could help scientists find better ways to protect our water supplies.
Nanoplastics are ubiquitous in freshwater ecosystems and pose a threat to environmental and human health. They inhibit the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa and increase its microcystin content, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we investigated the effects of nano-polystyrene on the growth, photosynthesis, microcystin content and transcriptome of M. aeruginosa. The results showed that 10 mg/L nano-polystyrene slightly inhibited the growth during the first two days of exposure (toxicity phase), followed by a rapid recovery and enhanced growth of M. aeruginosa (promotion phase). During the toxicity phase, 10 mg/L nano-polystyrene decreased the content of phycocyanin, ATP and NADPH, and increased transcriptional levels of psbA, cpcA, grxC, trxA, gst, gshB and sod2 key genes in the studied species. During the promotion phase, the growth rate of M. aeruginosa increased with increased phycocyanin, ATP and NADPH production, and a series of photosynthetic parameters increased, which were reflected by the up-regulation of photosynthesis-related genes (e.g., psbH, psb28-1, petJ) to increase the photosynthetic electron transport rate, and the corA gene to absorb more necessary metals to support growth. Additionally, M. aeruginosa increased the microcystin content during both the toxicity and promotion phases, which might suggest it could potentially play a role in promoting photosynthesis and growth. The results indicated that nano-polystyrene could increase the growth and the microcystin content of M. aeruginosa, which could amplify the adverse and harmful effects of nanoplastics on freshwater ecosystems and human health. This study provides novel insights into the restoration and remediation of aquatic ecosystems.
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics inhibited the growth of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa in a dose- and size-dependent manner, with smaller particles and higher concentrations causing greater growth suppression. Notably, microplastic exposure also upregulated genes related to microcystin production, suggesting that microplastics could potentially increase the toxicity of harmful algal blooms.
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Researchers discovered that amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics promote both the production and release of microcystin, a harmful toxin, from the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. The nanoplastics inhibited photosynthesis, induced oxidative stress, and damaged cell membranes, which enhanced toxin synthesis and extracellular release. The findings suggest that nanoplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems could worsen the threat of harmful algal blooms to aquatic ecology and human health.
Nanoplastics promote microcystin synthesis and release from cyanobacterial Microcystis aeruginosa.
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Researchers showed that amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NH2) stimulate microcystin synthesis and release in the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa by inhibiting photosystem II and increasing membrane permeability. This is the first direct evidence linking nanoplastics to enhanced cyanotoxin production in freshwater blooms.
Polystyrene nanoplastics affect growth and microcystin production of Microcystis aeruginosa
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Researchers exposed Microcystis aeruginosa to polystyrene nanoplastics across a range of concentrations and tracked effects on growth, cell aggregation, and microcystin production and release throughout the full growth cycle. They found a dose-dependent growth inhibition and increased aggregation at high concentrations, but nanoplastics at 50 mg/L paradoxically stimulated a period of rapid growth, with complex effects on intracellular and extracellular microcystin levels.
Post-exposure recovery of Microcystis aeruginosa from nanoplastics stress: metabolic adaptation and damage resilience
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Researchers exposed Microcystis aeruginosa cyanobacteria to polystyrene nanoplastics for 15 days, then transferred them to NP-free medium to study post-exposure recovery. Toxicity was concentration-dependent during exposure, and cells showed metabolic changes and only partial recovery after removal, suggesting persistent effects on cyanobacterial physiology.
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