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Effects of micro- and nano-plastics on growth, antioxidant system, DMS, and DMSP production in Emiliania huxleyi
Summary
Researchers exposed a key ocean-dwelling algae species to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found that both sizes impaired growth and triggered oxidative stress. The nanoplastics were more harmful than microplastics, reducing chlorophyll content and altering the production of climate-relevant sulfur compounds. The study suggests that plastic pollution could disrupt ocean algae that play an important role in regulating atmospheric chemistry and climate.
Due to the potential impacts of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) on algal growth and thereby affect the climate-relevant substances, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and dimethyl sulfide (DMS), we studied the polystyrene (PS) MPs and NPs of 1 μm and 80 nm impacts on the growth, chlorophyll content, reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzyme activity, and DMS/DMSP production in Emiliania huxleyi. E. huxleyi is a prominent oceanic alga that plays a key role in DMS and DMSP production. The results revealed that high concentrations of MPs and NPs inhibited the growth, carotenoid (Car), and Chl a concentrations of E. huxleyi. However, short-time exposure to low concentrations of PS MPs and NPs stimulated the growth of E. huxleyi. Furthermore, high concentrations of MPs and NPs resulted in an increase in the superoxide anion radical (O) production rate and a decrease in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared with the low concentrations. Exposure to MPs and NPs at 5 mg L induced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as a response to scavenging ROS. High concentrations of MPs and NPs significantly inhibited the production of DMSP and DMS. The findings of this study support the potential ecotoxicological impacts of MPs and NPs on algal growth, antioxidant system, and dimethylated sulfur compounds production, which maybe potentially impact the global climate.