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Size-dependent toxic effects of polystyrene microplastic exposure on Microcystis aeruginosa growth and microcystin production
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Researchers exposed the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to polystyrene microplastics of two sizes and found that particle size significantly influenced the effects. The larger 1-micrometer particles promoted algal growth while aggregating on cell surfaces and inhibiting photosynthesis, whereas 100-nanometer particles stimulated toxin production. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in freshwater may have complex, size-dependent effects on harmful algal blooms and their toxin output.
Due to increasingly severe microplastic pollution in freshwaters, the interaction between these contaminants and cyanobacteria warrants study. In this study, we expose the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to different sizes (1 μm and 100 nm) of polystyrene (PS) microplastics of 5 mg/L. Results indicate 1 μm microplastics promote algal growth (12.42% ± 0.94%) at 96 h, and have greater potential to aggregate on algal cell surfaces and inhibit photosynthesis. But no significance was observed in 100 nm microplastics treatment on algal growth and photosynthetic activity after 96 h exposure. Especially, 1 μm microplastics increased the content of intracellular microcystins (MCs) (18.42% ±0.33%) after 72 h and inhibit MCs release (23.87% ±8.79%) at 72 h, while 100 nm PS microplastics promote MCs production only at 48 h (14.83% ± 7.07%). Results indicate that smaller size does not necessarily mean greater toxicity, 1 μm microplastics showing more adverse effects than 100 nm microplastics to M. aeruginosa, improving understanding of the toxicity of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems, and challenging the conventionally held belief that smaller microplastics are more toxic.
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics inhibited the growth of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa in a dose- and size-dependent manner, with smaller particles and higher concentrations causing greater growth suppression. Notably, microplastic exposure also upregulated genes related to microcystin production, suggesting that microplastics could potentially increase the toxicity of harmful algal blooms.
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Researchers examined how polystyrene microplastics of various sizes affect the growth and toxin production of the harmful algae Microcystis aeruginosa. They found that microplastics inhibited algal growth at low densities, with the smallest particles causing the greatest inhibition, and also disrupted the algae's antioxidant defense system. Notably, microplastic exposure led to a significant increase in the production of the toxin microcystin-LR, raising concerns about how microplastic pollution could worsen harmful algal blooms.
Microcystis aeruginosa copes with toxic effects of micro/nano-plastics with varying particle sizes through different self-regulatory mechanisms
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Researchers exposed the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to polystyrene particles of three different sizes ranging from nanoscale to microscale. All particle sizes harmed the algae, but they triggered different cellular defense mechanisms depending on their size, with nanoparticles causing the most severe damage. The findings reveal that particle size is a key factor in determining how microplastics affect aquatic microorganisms.
Responses of Microcystis aeruginosa to polystyrene microplastics: Growth dynamics and implications for water treatment
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Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics affect the harmful freshwater algae Microcystis aeruginosa, which causes toxic algal blooms. They found that while microplastics initially suppressed algae growth, the algae eventually adapted and grew even more, producing higher levels of the dangerous toxin microcystin. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in freshwater could worsen harmful algal blooms and create additional water treatment challenges.
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Researchers compared the properties and toxicity of pristine versus aged polystyrene microplastics of different sizes on the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. The study found that the aging process does not necessarily increase microplastic toxicity, as aging induced changes in surface properties, functional groups, and zeta potential that could either enhance or reduce toxic effects depending on particle size.
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