We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A brief overview of the interaction between micro/nanoplastics and algae
Summary
This review synthesizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics harm algae — disrupting growth, pigmentation, photosynthesis, and oxidative balance — while also exploring algae as a promising eco-friendly method to remove plastic particles from water. Because algae anchor aquatic food webs as primary producers, MNP-driven algal stress cascades upward through trophic levels, ultimately threatening ecosystem health and human seafood safety.
Microplastics and nanoplastics pose a severe threat to organisms and the environment. Algae are important primary producers in aquatic ecosystems, providing nutrients for a wide range of species, so the toxic effects of pollutants on algae have negative effects on organisms at higher trophic levels. The toxic effects of micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) on algae have been the subject of many studies, with varying conclusions due to differences in experimental design. Thus, the objective of this review is to summarize the effects of MNPs on algal populations considering algal growth, pigments, photosynthesis, and oxidative stress parameters. Moreover, we provide insight into how MNPs affect algae based on the current studies. Removing MNPs has been a much less popular research topic than describing the MNPs. Algae is a promising eco-friendly method to remove MNPs. Algae have many advantages over conventional methods. Microalgal cells adsorb MNPs and are used as a source of nutrients to regulate metabolic processes to produce biomass. Therefore, this review provides methods for removing MNPs using algae. This approach will promote the development of methods to remove MNPs and contribute towards sustainability for the development of an algal-based future.