We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Nanoparticles for Mitigation of Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms
Summary
This review examines how nanoparticles can be used to control harmful algae blooms in water, covering methods like photocatalysis, flocculation, and toxin removal. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because microplastics and nanoplastics in water can interact with these same treatment approaches. Understanding nanoparticle behavior in water ecosystems also helps researchers predict how nanoplastic pollutants affect aquatic life.
With the rapid advancement of nanotechnology and its widespread applications, increasing amounts of manufactured and natural nanoparticles (NPs) have been tested for their potential utilization in treating harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs). NPs can be used as a photocatalyst, algaecide, adsorbent, flocculant, or coagulant. The primary mechanisms explored for NPs to mitigate HCBs include photocatalysis, metal ion-induced cytotoxicity, physical disruption of the cell membrane, light-shielding, flocculation/coagulation/sedimentation of cyanobacterial cells, and the removal of phosphorus (P) and cyanotoxins from bloom water by adsorption. As an emerging and promising chemical/physical approach for HCB mitigation, versatile NP-based technologies offer great advantages, such as being environmentally benign, cost-effective, highly efficient, recyclable, and adaptable. The challenges we face include cost reduction, scalability, and impacts on non-target species co-inhabiting in the same environment. Further efforts are required to scale up to real-world operations through developing more efficient, recoverable, reusable, and deployable NP-based lattices or materials that are adaptable to bloom events in different water bodies of different sizes, such as reservoirs, lakes, rivers, and marine environments.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Understanding the Risks of Diffusion of Cyanobacteria Toxins in Rivers, Lakes, and Potable Water
This review covers the health risks of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) toxins found in rivers, lakes, and drinking water, which can damage the liver and nervous system in humans. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because microplastics in water can interact with cyanobacteria and their toxins, potentially serving as carriers that concentrate these harmful substances. The paper discusses various water treatment methods for removing cyanotoxins, many of which are also applicable to microplastic removal.
Ecological risk analysis and prediction of microplastics' effects on Microcystis aeruginosa in freshwater system: a meta-analysis approach
This meta-analysis found that micro- and nanoplastics can both inhibit and stimulate the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa — a harmful algal bloom cyanobacterium — depending on particle size and degradability. Smaller, degradable plastics tend to promote algal growth, suggesting microplastic pollution could worsen toxic algal blooms in freshwater systems used for drinking water.
Nanomaterials for microplastic remediation from aquatic environment: Why nano matters?
This review examines how nanomaterials such as photocatalysts, adsorbents, and membrane filters can be used to remove microplastics from aquatic environments, highlighting why nanoscale properties offer advantages over conventional remediation approaches.
Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa in the Presence of Nanoplastics
Researchers found that nanoplastic contamination altered the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide as a control measure for cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms, with the combined stressor effects depending on temperature and light conditions in a high-throughput multistressor experiment.
Ecotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics on aquatic algae: Facts, challenges, and future opportunities
This review provides a comprehensive assessment of how micro- and nanoplastics harm aquatic algae, which form the base of ocean and freshwater food chains. The toxic effects include reduced growth, oxidative stress, and disrupted photosynthesis, with nanoplastics generally causing more damage than larger particles. Since algae support the entire aquatic food web, their decline from plastic pollution could reduce the quality and safety of fish and shellfish consumed by people.