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Impact of polystyrene microplastics on the growth and photosynthetic efficiency of diatom Chaetoceros neogracile
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics significantly reduced the growth and photosynthetic ability of the diatom Chaetoceros neogracile, an important part of the ocean food web. Higher concentrations of microplastics caused more damage, decreasing the algae's ability to produce energy from light. Since diatoms are a foundational food source in the ocean, this disruption could ripple through the food chain and ultimately affect the quality of seafood that reaches people's plates.
The increasing prevalence of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments has raised concerns about its impact on marine life. Among the different types of microplastics, polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) are one of the most commonly detected in aquatic systems. Chaetoceros neogracile (diatom) is an essential part of the marine food web and plays a critical role in nutrient cycling. This study aimed to monitor the ecotoxicological impact of PSMPs on diatoms and observe enzymatic interactions through molecular docking simulations. Results showed that diatom growth decreased with increasing concentrations and exposure time to PSMPs, and the lowest photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) value was observed after 72 and 96 h of exposure to 200 mg L of PSMPs. High concentrations of PSMPs led to a decrease in chlorophyll a content (up to 64.4%) and protein content (up to 35.5%). Molecular docking simulations revealed potential interactions between PSMPs and the extrinsic protein in photosystem II protein of diatoms, suggesting a strong affinity between the two. These findings indicate a detrimental effect of PSMPs on the growth and photosynthetic efficiency of diatoms and highlight the need for further research on the impact of microplastics on marine microbial processes.
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Polystyrene microbeads modulate the energy metabolism of the marine diatom Chaetoceros neogracile
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The marine diatom Chaetoceros neogracile was exposed to amino-modified polystyrene microbeads of 0.5 and 2 μm, with detailed flow cytometry revealing disrupted energy metabolism including altered chlorophyll content, lipid accumulation, and cell size distribution at 2.5 μg/mL. The study provides high-resolution physiological data showing that microplastics can impair energy balance in marine phytoplankton without killing cells.
Polystyrene Microplastics Induce Photosynthetic Impairment in Navicula sp. at Physiological and Transcriptomic Levels
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Researchers exposed freshwater diatom algae to polystyrene microplastics and found significant damage to their photosynthetic capacity within 24 to 48 hours. The microplastics reduced chlorophyll content, damaged cell membranes, and triggered oxidative stress responses, with gene analysis revealing disruption of key pathways related to photosynthesis and carbon fixation. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution in freshwater environments could impair the ability of algae to produce oxygen and support aquatic food webs.
Microplastics in wastewater treatment plants: Detection, occurrence and removal
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Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics affect the marine microalga Chaetoceros neogracile and found that exposure reduced growth and photosynthetic activity. The nanoplastics physically attached to the algal cells and triggered oxidative stress, suggesting they can interfere with the base of the marine food web. The study raises concerns that nanoplastic pollution could have cascading effects on ocean ecosystems by harming the tiny organisms that produce much of the world's oxygen.
Persistence and Recovery of Polystyrene and Polymethyl Methacrylate Microplastic Toxicity on Diatoms
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Researchers tested whether the toxic effects of polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate microplastics on marine diatoms persist after the plastic particles are removed. They found that both types of microplastics inhibited algal growth, increased oxidative stress, and caused structural damage, with some effects lingering even after a recovery period. The study suggests that even temporary microplastic exposure can cause lasting harm to the tiny algae that produce nearly 40% of the ocean's oxygen.
Impact of Nano-Polystyrene on Growth Rate and Physiological Metabolism of Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (nano-plastics), the kind that come from breaking-down plastic waste, can harm microalgae — tiny organisms that form the base of the ocean's food chain and help produce oxygen. Depending on the amount of plastic and type of light exposure, these particles either stressed out the algae's growth or disrupted their internal defense systems, showing that plastic pollution can ripple through the food web that humans ultimately depend on for seafood and healthy oceans.
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