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Toxic effects of polylactic acid microplastics on photosynthesis and motility of Microglena sp.
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Polylactic acid microplastics — made from a supposedly biodegradable plastic — inhibited the growth, photosynthesis, and swimming ability of a marine microalgae species, with genes controlling flagella and photosynthesis both suppressed. This matters because microalgae form the base of marine food chains, and even 'eco-friendly' bioplastics can cause real ecological harm as they break down.
Mobility is critical for the survival of flagellated microalgae and plays a key role in maintaining marine ecosystem stability. To assess the environmental risks posed by polylactic acid microplastics (PLA-MPs), we investigated their effects on the photosynthesis and motility of Microglena sp. through indoor and outdoor mesocosm experiments at concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 75, 225, and 375 particles/mL. Results reveal that PLA-MPs inhibited the growth of Microglena sp. in a dose-dependent manner, with a maximum inhibition rate of 44.07% at 375 particles/mL. Additionally, PLA-MPs disrupted photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and induced oxidative stress. The swimming velocity and motility patterns of Microglena sp. were also significantly affected. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that down-regulation of flagella-related genes contributed to reduced motility, while suppressed photosynthetic gene expression corresponded to decreased photosynthetic efficiency. These findings enhanced our understanding of the adverse effects of PLA-MPs on microalgae and provide valuable insights for evaluating the ecological risks of PLA-MPs in marine ecosystem.
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Researchers discovered that polylactic acid microplastics, marketed as eco-friendly biodegradable plastics, are toxic to a key zooplankton species across multiple generations, raising concerns that "bioplastic" alternatives may not be as safe for aquatic ecosystems as widely assumed.
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Researchers exposed freshwater algae and duckweed — both important food sources for fish and humans — to microplastics and found that even small amounts inhibited growth and reduced photosynthetic pigments. This suggests that microplastic contamination in water could disrupt the base of aquatic food chains that people depend on.
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.