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Effects of tire wear particle on growth, extracellular polymeric substance production and oxidation stress of algae Chlorella vulgaris: Performance and mechanism
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This study examined how tire wear particles, a common form of microplastic from roads, affect freshwater algae. Surprisingly, the tire particles actually promoted algae growth at certain concentrations while also causing oxidative stress. The findings suggest that tire-derived microplastics could disrupt the balance of aquatic ecosystems by altering algae behavior, which sits at the base of the food chain.
Tire wear particles (TWP) represent a distinctive form of microplastics (MPs) that are widely distributed in aquatic ecosystems. However, the toxicity of various types of TWP on phytoplankton remain to be further explored. Thus, three different TWPs originating from replaced bicycle, car, and electro-mobile tire (marked as BTWP, CTWP, and ETWP) were selected and their long-term biological influences on Chlorella vulgaris were investigated. Results demonstrated TWPs showed a concentration-dependent growth promotion of Chlorella vulgaris, with a maximum promotion rate reached to 40.51 % (10 mg/L, 10 d), 23.5 % (80 mg/L, 12 d), and 28.7 % (20 mg/L, 12 d) in the presence of BTWP, CTWP and ETWP, respectively. Meanwhile, TWPs could stimulate the secretion of EPS and induce oxidative stress. EPS analysis revealed the increase of polysaccharides could protect the cell from the direct contact with TWP particles. Moreover, the increased concentration of EPS also helps to induce the settlement of TWP and reduce the leachate release. The release of TWP into the environment could act as an accelerator for the growth of Chlorella vulgaris, which might further change the normal physicochemical behaviors of algae colony in aquatic system. Our findings provide new insights into the toxicity mechanism of TWPs on freshwater algae and valuable data on environmental risk assessment of TWPs.
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Aging increases the particulate- and leachate-induced toxicity of tire wear particles to microalgae.
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Researchers found that environmental aging of tire wear particles increases their toxicity to marine microalgae beyond that of fresh particles, with aged particles triggering greater oxidative stress, photosynthesis disruption, and metabolic changes in the algae.
Tire microplastic particles and warming inhibit physiological functions of the toxic microalga Alexandrium pacificum
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Researchers studied how tire-derived microplastic particles affect a toxic marine algae species under normal and warmed water conditions. They found that low concentrations slightly promoted algal growth, while high concentrations inhibited it, and warming made these negative effects worse. The study suggests that the combination of tire microplastics and rising ocean temperatures could disrupt marine ecosystems in compounding ways.
Impact of Tire Wear Leachates on Phytoplankton Communities
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Tire wear particles leaching into seawater were shown to harm phytoplankton communities at environmentally relevant concentrations, affecting both growth and photosynthesis. Tires contribute an estimated half million tonnes of microplastics to marine environments each year, making tire wear a significant and growing source of ocean pollution. These findings raise concerns about the ecological impacts of road runoff on marine primary producers that form the base of ocean food webs.
Tire wear particles in different water environments: occurrence, behavior, and biological effects—a review and perspectives
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This review examines tire wear particles, a major but often overlooked source of microplastics in water environments. Tire particles release toxic chemicals as they break down in water and can harm aquatic organisms, but most research has focused only on the chemical leachate rather than the particles themselves. Since tire wear contributes a large share of total microplastic pollution, understanding its full impact on water ecosystems and the food chain is important for human health.
Comparison of the effects of tire wear particles on the freshwater macrophyte under different exposure scenarios
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Researchers compared the effects of tire wear particles on the freshwater macrophyte Lemna minor and other aquatic plants, examining how the complex composition of tire-derived microplastics affects plant growth and physiology. Tire wear particles showed toxicity to aquatic plants at environmentally relevant concentrations, with chemical leachates contributing to the observed effects.
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