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Interactive effects of amine-modified nanoplastics and nitrogen source on Microcystin-LR synthesis and release in Microcystis aeruginosa
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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.
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Nitrogen Forms Regulate the Response of Microcystis aeruginosa to Nanoplastics at Environmentally Relevant Nitrogen Concentrations
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Researchers found that nanoplastics significantly inhibited the growth of a common blue-green algae species and increased its production of microcystin, a toxin harmful to humans. The type of nitrogen available in the water changed how severely the nanoplastics affected the algae, with nitrate conditions causing the worst growth inhibition. This matters because nanoplastic pollution could increase toxic algal blooms in lakes and reservoirs used for drinking water.
Nanoplastics Promote Microcystin Synthesis and Release from Cyanobacterial Microcystis aeruginosa
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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.
Mechanistic study on the increase of Microcystin-LR synthesis and release in Microcystis aeruginosa by amino-modified nano-plastics.
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This study examined how amino-modified nanoplastics increase production and release of the toxin Microcystin-LR in the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, revealing the cellular and gene-expression mechanisms behind this enhancement. The findings highlight how nanoplastic pollution can amplify harmful algal bloom toxicity.
Micro- and nanoplastic stress intensifies Microcystis aeruginosa physiology and toxin risks under environmentally relevant water chemistry conditions
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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.
Butylparaben-Loaded Aged Polystyrene Nanoplastics Amplify Its Toxicity in Microcystis aeruginosa via Quorum Sensing Suppression and Enhanced Microcystin-LR Release
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Researchers found that aged nanoplastics (those weathered by the environment) are much better at absorbing and carrying the chemical butylparaben into harmful algae called Microcystis aeruginosa. The contaminated nanoplastics caused the algae to release more of a dangerous toxin called microcystin-LR, which can contaminate drinking water. This study shows how nanoplastics can amplify the harmful effects of other pollutants in water systems that supply human drinking water.
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