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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Investigation of the Migration Patterns for Nanoplastics With Different Sizes in Chlorella vulgaris and Their Effects on Heavy Metal Adsorption by the Microalgae
ClearNanoplastics increase algal absorption and toxicity of Cd through alterations in cell wall structure and composition
Lab experiments showed that polystyrene nanoplastics made freshwater algae more vulnerable to cadmium (a toxic heavy metal) by altering the structure of their cell walls, allowing more cadmium to enter the cells. This matters for human health because nanoplastics in waterways may increase how much toxic metal accumulates in aquatic food chains that eventually reach our plates.
Toxic plastisphere: How the characteristics of plastic particles can affect colonization of harmful microalgae and adsorption of phycotoxins
Researchers found that microplastic particles in water can serve as surfaces for harmful algae to grow on and for algae-produced toxins to stick to. Smaller and sun-aged microplastic particles absorbed more toxins than larger or newer ones, meaning the most common microplastics in the environment may carry the greatest risk. This matters for human health because contaminated microplastics could transfer harmful algal toxins into seafood and drinking water.
Mechanism of transport and toxicity response of Chlorella sorokiniana to polystyrene nanoplastics
Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics are transported into freshwater algae cells and what toxic effects they cause. They found that the tiny plastic particles entered the cells through specific pathways and triggered oxidative stress, inhibiting algae growth. The study provides new insights into how nanoplastics disrupt the base of aquatic food chains by damaging microscopic organisms.
When microplastics meet microalgae: Unveiling the dynamic formation of aggregates and their impact on toxicity and environmental health
Researchers studied what happens when microplastics and algae meet in water, finding that algae colonize plastic surfaces and form clumps that absorb more toxic metals like copper than bare microplastics alone. This matters for human health because these microplastic-algae clumps can concentrate pollutants in aquatic food chains that eventually lead to the seafood on our plates.
Microplastics and Heavy Metals Removal from Fresh Water and Wastewater Systems Using a Membrane
Researchers tested how polystyrene microplastics affect the growth, photosynthesis, and oxidative stress responses of freshwater microalgae Chlorella vulgaris. Smaller particles caused greater inhibition of growth and chlorophyll synthesis than larger ones.
Interplay of plastic pollution with algae and plants: hidden danger or a blessing?
Researchers tested the ability of three microalgae species to remove microplastics from water through bioadhesion, finding that all three species could adsorb particles onto their surfaces. Removal efficiency depended on particle size, surface charge, and algae cell morphology.
Roles of polystyrene micro/nano-plastics as carriers on the toxicity of Pb2+ to Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Researchers found that nano-sized polystyrene plastics intensified lead toxicity to green algae by facilitating internalization of absorbed lead, while micro-sized plastics reduced lead bioavailability through competitive adsorption, revealing size-dependent carrier effects.
Differential effect of nano vs. micro-sized plastics on live Chlorella sp. algae in water environment.
Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastic and nanoplastic particles of different sizes (20 nm to 2000 nm) interact with Chlorella sp. algae using confocal microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging, finding that smaller particles (20-500 nm) formed corona-like structures around algae and disrupted chlorophyll photosynthesis, while larger particles (1000-2000 nm) acted as nucleation sites for algal clustering without affecting chlorophyll fluorescence.
Concentration dependent toxicity of microplastics to marine microalgae
Researchers exposed the marine microalga Chlorella sp. to polystyrene microplastics at concentrations of 10 and 50 mg/L, finding that even low concentrations inhibited growth and disrupted photosynthesis, while higher concentrations caused more pronounced oxidative stress.
Effects of different concentrations and particle sizes of microplastics on the full life history of freshwater Chlorella
Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics of different concentrations and particle sizes affect the complete life cycle of freshwater Chlorella algae. The study found that microplastics can inhibit algal growth by up to 68%, while also altering chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity, indicating that microplastic pollution may pose significant risks to the base of aquatic food webs.
Research advances on impacts micro/nanoplastics and their carried pollutants on algae in aquatic ecosystems: A review
This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics harm algae, which are the foundation of aquatic food chains, by slowing growth, reducing photosynthesis, and damaging cells. The effects are worse when microplastics carry other pollutants on their surfaces, creating a combined toxic effect. Since algae support the entire aquatic food web, damage to these organisms can ripple upward through fish and shellfish to affect the safety of seafood consumed by humans.
Hetero-Aggregation of Nanoplastics with Freshwater Algae and the Toxicological Consequences: The Role of Extracellular Polymeric Substances
Researchers studied how polystyrene and polylactic acid nanoplastics hetero-aggregate with the alga Chlorella vulgaris, finding that extracellular polymeric substances released by algae strongly influenced aggregation behavior and that aggregation altered the toxicity of nanoplastics.
Effects of microplastics on the growth, photosynthetic efficiency and nutrient composition in freshwater algae Chlorella vulgaris Beij
Researchers tested how polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics affect the freshwater algae Chlorella vulgaris and found that smaller particles and higher concentrations caused more harm. The microplastics reduced algal growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and disrupted nutrient composition over the 11-day experiment. Since algae form the base of aquatic food chains, this damage could ripple upward through ecosystems that ultimately connect to human food sources.
Calcium-mediated mitigation of aged nanoplastic-induced stress in microalgae: Insights into photosynthesis, energy metabolism, and antioxidant defense from physiological and multi-omics analyses
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) severely damage microalgae, which are important organisms used to clean wastewater before it enters our water supply. However, adding calcium to the water protected the microalgae from this plastic pollution and helped them continue removing harmful substances from wastewater. This research suggests calcium could help maintain clean water treatment systems even as plastic pollution increases in our environment.
Ecotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics on aquatic algae: Facts, challenges, and future opportunities
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.
Meta-analysis for systematic review of global micro/nano-plastics contamination versus various freshwater microalgae: Toxicological effect patterns, taxon-specific response, and potential eco-risks
A meta-analysis of 1,071 observations found that nanoplastics cause more severe cell membrane damage than microplastics, while microplastics more strongly inhibit photosynthesis in freshwater microalgae. Among polymer types, polyamide caused the highest growth inhibition, polystyrene induced the most toxin release, and diatoms were the most sensitive algal group while cyanobacteria showed exceptional resilience.
Differential effect of nano vs. micro-sized plastics on live Chlorella sp. algae in water environment
Researchers exposed live Chlorella sp. algae to polystyrene particles ranging from 20 nm to 2000 nm and used confocal microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging to characterize interactions. Nanoplastics of 20–500 nm formed corona-like structures around algae cells and reduced chlorophyll fluorescence intensity and lifetime, indicating impaired photosynthesis, while larger 1000–2000 nm particles had minimal effects.
The influence of microplastics on the toxic effects and biodegradation of bisphenol A in the microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics inhibited the biodegradation of bisphenol A (BPA) by the microalga Chlorella vulgaris, with combined exposure showing greater toxicity than either contaminant alone due to BPA adsorption onto microplastic surfaces.
Toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on microalgae Chlorella vulgaris: Changes in biomass, photosynthetic pigments and morphology
This study tested how polystyrene nanoplastics of three different sizes affect green algae and found a clear pattern: smaller particles were more toxic than larger ones. The smallest nanoplastics (90 nm) caused the greatest reductions in algal growth and photosynthetic pigments, along with visible changes in cell shape and increased clumping. The findings suggest that as plastics break down into ever-smaller particles in the environment, their potential for biological harm may increase.
Ecotoxicological impact of virgin and environmental microplastics leachate on Chlorella vulgaris: Synergistic microbial-pollutant drivers cripple photosynthesis
Researchers compared the toxic effects of leachate from new versus environmentally weathered microplastics on a common green algae species. They found that weathered microplastics were up to 3.4 times more toxic, severely disrupting photosynthesis and introducing hundreds of bacterial species and pollutants that compounded the damage. The findings highlight that microplastics become significantly more dangerous as they age in the environment.
Effect of microplastics and microplastic-metal combinations on growth and chlorophyll a concentration of Chlorella vulgaris
Researchers tested the effects of polystyrene microplastics alone and in combination with metals (copper, zinc, manganese) on the freshwater microalga Chlorella vulgaris. The study found that low microplastic concentrations had no significant impact, but higher concentrations reduced algal growth and chlorophyll content, with metal-microplastic combinations producing more pronounced effects.
Nanoplastics increase the adverse impacts of lead on the growth, morphological structure and photosynthesis of marine microalga Platymonas helgolandica
Combined exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and lead was found to have greater adverse effects on marine microalga Platymonas helgolandica growth, morphology, and photosynthesis than lead alone, indicating nanoplastics can amplify heavy metal toxicity in marine primary producers.
Microplastics leachate may play a more important role than microplastics in inhibiting microalga Chlorella vulgaris growth at cellular and molecular levels
Researchers found that chemical compounds leaching from aged microplastics may be more harmful to algae than the microplastic particles themselves. UV-weathered polyethylene and PVC released substances that inhibited algae growth, caused oxidative stress, and altered gene expression more severely than direct particle exposure. The study suggests that the chemicals released by degrading microplastics deserve more attention as a source of aquatic toxicity.
Microplastics reduce microalgal biomass by decreasing single-cell weight: The barrier towards implementation at scale
Researchers found that microplastics significantly reduce biomass production in three industrially relevant microalgae species by decreasing single-cell weight by up to 47%, posing a serious barrier to scaling microalgal industries in contaminated waters.