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Interactive effects of amine-modified nanoplastics and nitrogen source on Microcystin-LR synthesis and release in Microcystis aeruginosa
Summary
Tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics, when combined with certain types of nitrogen pollution, can make harmful algae produce more toxins in water, a problem that could threaten drinking water and food sources. This study found that a specific type of plastic particle increased toxin production by up to 76% in algae under certain conditions, and the effect got worse in warmer temperatures. Understanding how plastics and pollution interact to create these toxic algae blooms is important for protecting our water supplies and public health.
Concern over the nanoplastics (NPs) pollution in aquatic environment is increasing. However, the potential effects of different nitrogen sources at environmentally relevant concentrations and NPs on Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) in Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) are still unclear. Results demonstrate that during both acute (4 days) and long-term (10 days) exposure, MC-LR synthesis (27.86% and 59.18%) and release (21.79% and 76.68%) were significantly exacerbated by amine-modified polystyrene NPs (PS-NH NPs) under high concentration (5 mg-N/L) arginine treatment, compared with nitrate and leucine treatments. Mechanistically, under high concentration (5 mg-N/L) arginine treatment (1) PS-NH NPs exposure promoted algal nitrogen consumption efficiency, together with an increase of NPs internalization and cell membrane permeability; (2) metabolomic and transcriptomic results suggested that alterations in carbon and nitrogen metabolism, precursor availability, and membrane integrity may contribute to the increased MC-LR synthesis and release under PS-NH NPs exposure; and (3) stable isotope experiment verified that PS-NH NPs activated the precursor substances of MC-LR synthesis. The elevated temperature and light intensity further altered the effect of PS-NH NPs on MC-LR synthesis. These findings deepen our understanding of the interactive effect of NPs and nitrogen sources on M. aeruginosa.