We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of polystyrene microplastic on the growth and volatile halocarbons release of microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Summary
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics inhibit the growth of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and significantly alter the release of volatile halocarbons, including trihalomethanes, raising concerns about microplastic impacts on oceanic climate-active trace gas production.
Volatile halocarbons (VHCs) are trace greenhouse gases that can damage the ozone layer. Trihalomethanes are one of the most common VHCs and play an important role in global climate change. Due to their steadily increasing abundance, microplastics pollutants have attracted growing concern from scientists. However, their impacts on the growth of marine microalgae and the release of VHCs remain unknown. The influence of polystyrene microplastic (PS, 0.1 μm) at different concentrations (25-200 mg/L) on the growth of P. tricornutum and their release of trihalomethanes were studied over 96 h. The results showed that PS can inhibit P. tricornutum growth. At 200 mg/L PS, cell growth, chlorophyll a concentration and photosynthetic efficiency of P. tricornutum were inhibited by 53.53%, 25.45% and 12.50%, respectively. PS concentrations of 25-50 mg/L promoted the release of the three trihalomethanes by P. tricornutum during the 96 h culture as a response to oxidative stress. However, 100-200 mg/L PS severely altered the physiological state of the P. tricornutum cells after 48 h, which reduced the release of trihalomethanes. Our study also demonstrated that the production and release of trihalomethanes served as a protective mechanism against oxidative stress and the toxic effects caused by PS.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Physiological responses and altered halocarbon production in Phaeodactylum tricornutum after exposure to polystyrene microplastics
Exposure to microplastics altered physiological responses and halocarbon production in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, with implications for oceanic emissions of ozone-depleting brominated substances.
[Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics on Growth and Halocarbon Release of Marine Microalgae].
Lab experiments showed that polyethylene microplastics affected two species of marine microalgae differently, inhibiting growth of one while promoting growth of the other. Microplastic stress also increased production of reactive oxygen species and altered the release of volatile halocarbons, trace gases important for climate and ozone chemistry.
Polystyrene microplastics alter plankton community and enhance greenhouse gas emissions: A case study in the China coastal sea
Researchers demonstrated through ship-based and laboratory experiments that polystyrene microplastics suppress phytoplankton growth by up to 82 percent and increase dissolved organic carbon accumulation in coastal seawater. The microplastics restructured plankton communities and enhanced the production of brominated volatile halocarbons, which are ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in coastal waters may have cascading effects on marine carbon cycling and atmospheric chemistry.
Combined effects of microplastics and warming enhance algal carbon and nitrogen storage
Researchers examined the combined effects of warming temperatures and polystyrene microplastics on the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. While warming alone decreased cell viability, the combination of microplastics and warming unexpectedly increased growth rate and nitrogen uptake by promoting fatty acid metabolism and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution combined with marine heatwaves may alter algal carbon and nitrogen cycling in ways that could have broader ecological implications.
The effect of microplastics pollution in microalgal biomass production: A biochemical study
Scientists exposed the marine microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum to polystyrene microplastics and found that both short- and long-term exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations disrupted biochemical composition including proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.