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Algae-microplastics interactions and their significance in combating aquatic plastic pollution
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Researchers review how algae interact with microplastics in aquatic environments, examining both the harmful effects on algae and the potential to harness algal biological properties for eco-friendly microplastic removal, toxicity mitigation, and repurposing of plastic particles.
Microplastics (MPs) represent a new class of pollutants that are widely distributed and significantly affect aquatic ecosystems. Until now, an expanding circle of studies has focused on the environmental behavior and effects of MPs. However, the strategies and technologies for effectively addressing and mitigating MPs pollution remain unexplored. As primary producers, algae play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems and inevitably interact with MPs, positioning them at the forefront of MPs pollution. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of algal-MP interactions, the effects of MPs on algae, the resulting environmental behaviors, and the underlying mechanisms. Importantly, by analyzing the ability and mechanisms of algal-MP interactions, we highlight promising applications of using the environmental adaptability and biological properties of algae for mitigating aquatic plastic pollution, including mitigation of MPs toxicity, removal of MPs, and repurposing of aquatic plastic particles. Additionally, by discussing these applications leveraging the algal-MP interaction, this review enables future research and technology development of eco-friendly and cost-effective approaches that are crucial for global efforts to mitigate plastic pollution.
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Researchers reviewed the potential of microalgae to break down microplastics, exploring how these tiny aquatic organisms could offer a natural, low-cost solution to combat the growing problem of plastic pollution in freshwater and ocean environments.
Persistent Microplastics in Ecosystem: The Role of Microalgae-Microplastic Interactions
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This review examines interactions between microalgae and microplastics in aquatic environments, focusing on how algae can adsorb, ingest, and respond to plastic particles, and how these interactions affect microplastic persistence and transport. Microalgae form the base of aquatic food webs, so their uptake of microplastics initiates the trophic transfer chain that ultimately delivers plastic particles and associated chemical contaminants to human consumers through seafood.
A brief overview of the interaction between micro/nanoplastics and algae
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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.
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A review of 20 studies found that microplastics inhibit freshwater microalgae growth, reduce photosynthetic activity, alter pigment profiles, and induce oxidative stress, with effects varying by plastic shape, size, concentration, and exposure duration. Because microalgae form the base of aquatic food webs, microplastic-driven disruption of algal communities could have cascading effects on freshwater ecosystem health.
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Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.