We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Influence of differently functionalized polystyrene microplastics on the toxic effects of P25 TiO2 NPs towards marine algae Chlorella sp.
AI summary Read the abstract
Differently functionalized polystyrene microplastics (plain, amino, carboxyl) were tested for their influence on the toxicity of TiO₂ nanoparticles to marine algae Chlorella sp., finding that microplastics altered TiO₂ aggregation behavior and modified its effective toxicity in a surface-chemistry-dependent manner. The study demonstrates that microplastic-nanoparticle interactions in marine environments can change the ecotoxicological outcome of either contaminant alone.
Increased utilization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) for commercial as well as industrial purposes resulted in the accumulation of nanoparticles in the marine system. Microplastics being an emerging secondary pollutant in the marine ecosystem have an impact on the toxic effects of TiO NPs which has not been evaluated up to date. So it is important to assess the toxic effects of both these pollutants on the marine environment. The present study examines the impact of differently functionalized microplastics on the toxic effects of P25 TiO NPs to marine algae Chlorella sp. The tendency of nanoparticles to undergo aggregation in artificial seawater was observed with increase in time. The median effective concentration for TiO NPs was found to be 81 μM which indicates higher toxic effects of NPs toward algae. In contrast, microplastics irrespective of their difference in functionalization had minimal toxic effect of about 15% at their higher concentration tested, 1000 mg L. Plain and aminated polystyrene microplastics enhanced the TiO NPs toxicity which was further validated with oxidative stress determination studies like reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation assays. Negatively charged carboxylated polystyrene microplastics decreased the TiO NPs toxicity with possible hetero-aggregation between TiO NPs and microplastics in the system. The toxicity data obtained for the mixture was further corroborated with Abbott's mathematical model.
More Papers Like This
Toxicity evaluation of nano-TiO2 in the presence of functionalized microplastics at two trophic levels: Algae and crustaceans
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how different surface-functionalized polystyrene microplastics affect the toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles across two trophic levels, using algae and brine shrimp. They found that aminated and plain microplastics enhanced nano-TiO2 toxicity to algae, while carboxylated microplastics reduced it. Direct aqueous exposure caused greater toxicity in brine shrimp than dietary exposure, suggesting that the route of exposure significantly influences combined contaminant effects.
Polystyrene nanoplastics diminish the toxic effects of Nano-TiO2 in marine algae Chlorella sp.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics reduced the toxic effects of nano-titanium dioxide on marine algae by forming larger aggregates that decreased the bioavailability of both particle types. The combined exposure led to lower oxidative stress and reduced cellular damage compared to nano-titanium dioxide alone. The study demonstrates that interactions between different types of nanoparticles in marine environments can produce antagonistic effects that alter their individual toxicity profiles.
Algal extracellular polymeric substances (algal-EPS) for mitigating the combined toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and nano-TiO2 in Chlorella sp.
AI summary Read the abstract
This study found that algal extracellular polymeric substances can coat both polystyrene nanoplastics and titanium dioxide nanoparticles and reduce their combined toxic effects on the green alga Chlorella, suggesting that natural organic matter in marine environments can buffer combined nanoparticle toxicity.
Toxic effects of carboxyl/amino polystyrene microplastics and macrolide antibiotics on Chlorella pyrenoidosa: Insights based on physiological level, microstructure, and toxicity prediction
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the freshwater alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa to carboxyl- and amino-functionalized polystyrene microplastics combined with macrolide antibiotics, finding that surface chemistry strongly modulates toxicity — amino-modified particles formed aggregates on algal surfaces and amplified growth inhibition to over 95% at high concentrations by disrupting photosynthetic pigments and triggering oxidative stress.
The Comparative Effects of Visible Light and UV-A Radiation on the Combined Toxicity of P25 TiO2 Nanoparticles and Polystyrene Microplastics on Chlorella sp
AI summary Read the abstract
This study found that TiO2 nanoparticles and polystyrene microplastics together are more toxic to marine microalgae than either pollutant alone, and that UV-A radiation makes the combined toxicity significantly worse than under ordinary visible light. TiO2 generates reactive oxygen species under UV-A that damage algal cells, with microplastics amplifying the oxidative stress. Because TiO2 nanoparticles and microplastics co-occur in surface waters where UV light is abundant, this interaction could pose a greater threat to marine photosynthetic organisms than studies conducted under standard lab lighting would suggest.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.