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Toxicity effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and arsenite on Microcystis aeruginosa
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Researchers studied how two types of polystyrene nanoplastics with different surface properties interact with arsenic to affect freshwater algae. They found that nanoplastics with a sulfonic acid surface modification caused more severe growth inhibition and metabolic disruption in the algae, while both types reduced arsenic uptake by the organisms. The study highlights that the specific surface chemistry of nanoplastics significantly influences their environmental toxicity.
Despite the increasing research on the fate of nanoplastics (NPs, <100 nm) in freshwater systems, little is known about the joint toxic effects of metal(loid)s and NPs modified with different functional groups on microalgae. Here, we explored the joint toxic effects of two types of polystyrene NPs [one modified with a sulfonic acid group (PSNPs-SOH), and one without this functional group (PSNPs)] and arsenic (As) on the microalgae Microcystis aeruginosa. The results highlighted that PSNPs-SOH showed a smaller hydrodynamic diameter and greater potential to adsorb positively charged ions than PSNPs, contributing to the more severe growth inhibition, while both of them produced oxidative stress. Metabolomics further revealed that the fatty acid metabolism of the microalgae was significantly up-regulated under both NPs exposure, while PSNPs-SOH down-regulated the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) of the microalgae. As uptake by algae was significantly reduced by 82.58 % and 59.65 % in the presence of 100 mg/L PSNPs and PSNPs-SOH, respectively. The independent action model showed that the joint toxicity of both NPs with As was assessed as antagonistic. In addition, PSNPs and PSNPs-SOH had dissimilar effects on the composition of the microalgae extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), resulting in different uptake and adsorption of As, thereby affecting the physiology and biochemistry of algae. Overall, our findings propose that the specific properties of NPs should be considered in future environmental risk assessments.
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Toxic effects and metabolic response mechanisms of amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics and arsenic on Microcystis aeruginosa
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Researchers investigated the combined effects of amine-modified polystyrene nanoplastics and arsenic on a common freshwater cyanobacterium. They found that co-exposure intensified cellular stress, disrupted metabolic processes, and promoted the release of harmful toxins beyond what either pollutant caused individually. The findings reveal previously unrecognized risks to freshwater ecosystems when nanoplastics interact with heavy metal contaminants.
Arsenic adsorption by carboxylate and amino modified polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics: kinetics and mechanisms
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Researchers found that functionalized polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics can adsorb arsenic from water, with carboxylate-modified particles showing higher capacity than amino-modified ones, and that salinity and humic acids inhibit adsorption, confirming microplastics can alter arsenic behavior in ecosystems.
Effects of microplastic on arsenic accumulation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in a freshwater environment
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics of two sizes disrupted phospholipid membrane structure in the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, reducing its ability to accumulate and detoxify arsenic in freshwater. Smaller 100 nm particles caused greater inhibition of arsenic uptake and the detoxification pathway than 5 µm particles, indicating that nanoplastic size amplifies toxicological impacts on arsenic biogeochemical cycling.
Combined effects of microplastics and excess boron on Microcystis aeruginosa
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Researchers studied the combined effects of microplastics and excess boron on a common freshwater cyanobacterium (Microcystis aeruginosa). They found that amino-modified polystyrene microplastics were the most harmful, inhibiting growth and worsening boron toxicity, while other surface-modified types actually stimulated growth. The study reveals that the surface chemistry of microplastics plays a key role in how they interact with other pollutants to affect aquatic microorganisms.
Combined toxicity of nanoplastics and microcystin-LR to sulfate-reducing bacteria and the underlying mechanisms
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Researchers exposed freshwater aquaculture microcosms to polyethylene nanoplastics and the algal toxin microcystin-LR, finding that nanoplastics strongly adsorb the toxin and that combined exposure disrupts sulfur cycling bacteria more severely than either contaminant alone, raising ecological concerns for aquaculture water quality.
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