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Optimizing initial biomass to enhance microplastic sequestration via density-driven bio-flocculation in microalgal systems
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Scientists found that certain algae (like Chlorella and Spirulina) can help clean up microplastic pollution in water by clumping the tiny plastic particles together and settling them out—and that starting with the right amount of algae (around 1000 mg per liter) works best for both growing the algae and removing plastic. This matters because microplastics are increasingly showing up in our water supplies and food, and this research points toward a natural, low-cost way to filter them out before they reach us.
Initial biomass is a key regulator of microalgal resilience to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs). This study investigated the responses of four microalgae-Chlorella sp., Scenedesmus sp., Cyclotella sp., and Spirulina sp.-exposed to 5 mg L PS-MPs across biomass gradients of 500 - 1500 mg L. PS-MPs induced species- and density-dependent responses rather than uniform toxicity. Higher initial biomass increased final population yield and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production, but reduced specific growth rates due to intensified self-shading and resource competition. Chlorella sp. and Spirulina sp. exhibited stronger resilience, supported by pigment accumulation, coordinated antioxidant regulation, and EPS-mediated PS sequestration. Multivariate analysis further confirmed that biomass level, EPS secretion, photosynthetic performance, and oxidative status collectively structured microalgae-PS interactions. Notably, an initial biomass of 1000 mg L provided the optimal balance between growth performance and remediation efficiency. These findings provide a quantitative framework for optimizing microalgae-based systems for microplastic contaminated wastewater treatment.
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Removal of microplastics by algal biomass from aqueous solutions: performance, optimization, and modeling
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Researchers found that algae (Chlorella vulgaris) can remove up to 73% of polystyrene microplastics from water under optimized conditions. Using algae as a natural, eco-friendly alternative to chemical treatments offers a sustainable approach to cleaning up microplastic pollution in water systems without introducing additional harmful substances.
Utilizing Chlorella vulgaris algae as an eco-friendly coagulant for efficient removal of polyethylene microplastics from aquatic environments
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Researchers tested the green algae Chlorella vulgaris as an eco-friendly coagulant for removing polyethylene microplastics from water. Using optimized experimental conditions, they achieved a removal rate of nearly 99% under the best parameters. The study suggests that algae-based coagulation offers a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to chemical methods for cleaning microplastic-contaminated water.
Interplay of plastic pollution with algae and plants: hidden danger or a blessing?
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Researchers tested the ability of three microalgae species to remove microplastics from water through bioadhesion, finding that all three species could adsorb particles onto their surfaces. Removal efficiency depended on particle size, surface charge, and algae cell morphology.
Untangling the Effects of Microplastics on Microalgae Growth for Sustainable Bioremediation
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Scientists tested how tiny plastic particles (microplastics) affect the growth of a freshwater algae species that's being explored as a natural way to clean up polluted water. They found that higher concentrations of microplastics slowed algae growth by up to 32%, suggesting there's a tricky tradeoff: while algae might help filter microplastics out of water, too much plastic pollution could actually harm the very organisms we're counting on to clean it up. This matters because microplastics are increasingly showing up in our water supplies, and understanding how nature's own cleanup crews respond to this pollution could help us design better, more sustainable water tre
Using Spirulina platensis as a natural biocoagulant for polystyrene removal from aqueous medium: performance, optimization, and modeling
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Researchers tested Spirulina platensis, a type of blue-green algae, as a natural coagulant for removing polystyrene microplastics from water. By optimizing conditions like pH, contact time, and dosage, they achieved significant removal of the plastic particles from aqueous solutions. The study suggests that natural biocoagulants could offer an eco-friendly approach to addressing microplastic contamination in water.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.