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Fluorescent nanoplastics enhanced toxicity of Graphene oxide nanoparticles in freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus
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The presence of fluorescent polystyrene nanoplastics significantly increased the toxicity of graphene oxide nanoparticles to the freshwater alga Scenedesmus obliquus, demonstrating that nanoplastics can act as vectors that amplify the effects of co-occurring nanocontaminants.
Abstract The increased usage of Graphene oxide (GO) in various industrial applications led to their entry into freshwater systems. Other secondary contaminants like nanoplastics (NPs) often co-exist with GO in the environment. This study examines possible role of fluorescent nanoplastics (FNPs) in modifying the toxic effects of GO on freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus. Selected concentrations of GO (0.1, 1, and 10 mg L− 1) were combined with a fixed concentration of FNPs (1 mg L− 1) to perform the combinational toxicity tests on algae. FNPs significantly enhanced the toxic effects of GO in the mixtures in comparison with the pristine GO. In addition to the cytotoxic effects, oxidative stress parameters like total ROS generation and malondialdehyde (MDA) production also increased in case of the combined pollutants. The antioxidant enzymatic activities like catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the cells were also assessed. Algal exposure to the pristine pollutants and their mixture and led to a notable decrease in photosynthetic activities in the cells with the mixed pollutants aggravating the loss in activity. The interactive toxic effects of the contaminants when present in mixtures were evaluated using Abbotts' Independent action modeling. Furthermore, optical microscopic images revealed the morphological changes in the algal cells after exposure to the contaminants both in the pristine and combined forms.
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Fluorescent nanoplastics increase the toxic effects of Graphene oxide nanoparticles in freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus
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Researchers examined how fluorescent nanoplastics modify the toxic effects of graphene oxide nanoparticles on freshwater algae. They found that the combination of nanoplastics and graphene oxide significantly amplified toxicity compared to either pollutant alone, increasing oxidative stress, membrane damage, and loss of photosynthetic activity. The study highlights that co-occurring nanoscale pollutants in freshwater environments may pose greater ecological risks than individual contaminants.
Nanoplastics enhance the toxic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticle in freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus
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Researchers investigated how fluorescent nanoplastics modify the toxic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus. They found that when nanoplastics were combined with titanium dioxide, oxidative stress markers, lipid damage, and antioxidant enzyme activity all increased significantly beyond individual exposures. The study demonstrates that nanoplastics can enhance the toxicity of other environmental contaminants in freshwater organisms.
Microplastics with different functional groups modulate cellular and molecular mechanisms of reduced graphene oxide toxicity on the green microalga, Scenedesmus obliquus
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Researchers tested how microplastics with different surface chemistries interact with reduced graphene oxide, another emerging pollutant, and their combined effects on green algae. They found that certain microplastics reduced the toxicity of graphene oxide by adsorbing it, while others amplified the harmful effects depending on their surface functional groups. The study reveals that the combined impact of different nanomaterials in the environment can vary widely based on their chemical properties.
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Researchers ran a controlled aquatic experiment combining nanoplastics and graphene oxide to study their effects on leaf litter decomposition, finding that the combination altered bacterial diversity, boosted certain enzymatic activities, and produced time-dependent effects—initially inhibiting then promoting decomposition—with bacteria more affected than fungi.
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