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The Impact of Microplastics on the Growth of Skeletonema Costatum
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Researchers exposed the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum to polystyrene microplastics at 0.1 and 10 mg/L, finding that both concentrations initially stimulated cell growth and chlorophyll content but also elevated antioxidant enzyme activity, indicating a stress response even when growth appeared enhanced.
This study investigated the effects of microplastics (MPs) on Skeletonema costatum growth by monitoring algal responses to polystyrene MPs (0.1 μm diameter) at concentrations of 0.10 mg/L and 10.00 mg/L. Results demonstrate that the addition of MPs plays an important role in algal growth, chlorophyll and oxidative stress. After three days of MP exposure, both low and high concentration exposures significantly increased cell growth and chlorophyll content, with pronounced effects observed under the low concentration exposure. Additionally, MP exposure markedly elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, indicating a physiological stress response in algal cells. Collectively, this work establishes critical data for assessing the impacts of MPs on marine phytoplankton in marine ecosystems.
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Investigating the Molecular Response of Skeletonema marinoi to Polyethylene Nano/Microplastics: Insights into Stress Genes, Inflammation, and Extracellular Polymeric Substance Production
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Researchers exposed the marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi to polyethylene nano- and microplastics and found that, despite no significant effect on growth, the particles triggered oxidative stress responses, inflammatory-like gene expression, and activation of programmed cell death pathways. The study suggests that even when diatoms appear resilient on the surface, microplastics may cause subtle molecular disruptions that could affect bloom dynamics and carbon cycling in the ocean.
Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the extracellular and intracellular dissolved organic matter released by Skeletonema costatum using a novel in situ method
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Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics affect the dissolved organic matter released by the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum. They found that microplastic exposure altered both the quantity and chemical composition of organic compounds released by the algae, which could in turn influence how other contaminants behave in seawater. The study reveals an indirect pathway through which microplastics may affect marine chemistry and pollutant cycling.
Toxic effects of pristine and aged polystyrene and their leachate on marine microalgae Skeletonema costatum
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Researchers compared the toxic effects of pristine and aged polystyrene microplastics, as well as their chemical leachates, on the marine microalga Skeletonema costatum. The study found that aged microplastics and their leachates caused greater growth inhibition, reduced chlorophyll concentration, and triggered stronger oxidative stress responses than pristine particles, suggesting that environmental weathering increases the toxicity of plastic debris.
Hormesis-like growth and photosynthetic physiology of marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin exposed to polystyrene microplastics
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics can either harm or inadvertently benefit marine algae growth depending on how crowded the algae population is, suggesting that microplastic toxicity in ocean ecosystems is more context-dependent and complex than previously assumed.
Impact of polystyrene nanoparticles on marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi chain assemblages and consequences on their ecological role in marine ecosystems
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Researchers exposed the marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi to polystyrene nanoparticles and observed increased oxidative stress, reduced chain length, and nanoplastic aggregation at the diatom's silica pores, raising concern that nanoplastic interference with diatom chain formation could impair the biological carbon pump that sequesters atmospheric CO2 in deep ocean sediments.
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