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Long-Term Effects of Nanoplastics on Growth, Photosynthesis, and Oxidative Stress in Asterococcus superbus
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A 30-day nanoplastic exposure experiment on the freshwater alga Asterococcus superbus showed that long-term exposure caused progressive declines in growth rate, photosynthetic efficiency, and antioxidant capacity that were not evident in shorter acute toxicity studies.
Nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging environmental pollutants with significant ecological risks, particularly for primary producers such as microalgae. However, most studies have focused on the acute toxicity of NPs, whereas their long-term effects remain poorly understood. This study investigated the long-term impacts of NPs on Asterococcus superbus over a 30-day exposure period, assessing 13 physiological and biochemical parameters related to growth, morphology, photosynthetic activity, and oxidative stress. Results demonstrated that NP exposure led to increased cell density, reduced cell size, and decreased cell complexity, accompanied by oxidative stress. Notably, photosynthetic efficiency was significantly inhibited during the early exposure phase. However, with prolonged exposure, microalgae exhibited physiological self-regulation, partially mitigating NP-induced stress and maintaining functional stability in their photosynthetic apparatus. This study provides critical insights into the resilience of microalgae under NP stress and highlights the need for further research on the ecological implications of chronic NP exposure in aquatic systems.
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Persistence of algal toxicity induced by polystyrene nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations
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Researchers studied whether the harmful effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on marine algae are temporary or long-lasting. They found that while some damage, like oxidative stress, was reversible after exposure ended, other effects such as increased cell membrane damage persisted. The study suggests that even at low, environmentally realistic concentrations, nanoplastics can cause lasting disruption to algal metabolism and cell function.
Nanoplastic exposure inhibits growth, photosynthetic pigment synthesis and oxidative enzymes in microalgae: A new threat to primary producers in aquatic environment
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) can seriously harm microalgae, the tiny plants that form the base of the ocean's food chain, by slowing their growth by up to 42%, reducing their ability to photosynthesize, and triggering stress damage inside their cells. Since these algae are eaten by small creatures that are eaten by bigger fish (eventually including the seafood we eat), this damage could ripple up the food chain and disrupt entire aquatic ecosystems. While this study looked at algae rather than humans directly, it adds to growing evidence that nanoplastic pollution, now found
Dose-dependent effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on growth, photosynthesis, and astaxanthin synthesis in Haematococcus pluvialis
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Researchers exposed the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis to polystyrene nanoplastics at various concentrations and found that higher doses significantly inhibited growth and photosynthesis. Interestingly, the stressed algae produced more astaxanthin, a natural antioxidant pigment, as a defense response. The study shows that nanoplastic pollution can disrupt algal growth while triggering biochemical stress responses in aquatic organisms.
Ecotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics on aquatic algae: Facts, challenges, and future opportunities
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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.
The impact of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on physiological and biochemical parameters of the microalgae Spirulina platensis
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Researchers exposed the microalgae Spirulina platensis to polystyrene nanoplastics at three concentrations over 20 days and found dose-dependent reductions in growth rate, dry weight, and photosynthetic pigments alongside increased oxidative stress markers, indicating nanoplastics impair algal physiology even at relatively low exposure levels.
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