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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Limited effects of microplastics on size-fractionated phytoplankton booming in estuarine system
ClearThe distribution and ecological effects of microplastics in an estuarine ecosystem
Researchers surveyed 22 intertidal sites and found that microplastic abundance, size, and diversity correlated with benthic microalgal communities and sediment biostabilization properties in an estuarine ecosystem.
Microplastic interactions with freshwater microalgae: Hetero-aggregation and changes in plastic density appear strongly dependent on polymer type
Researchers studied interactions between microplastics and freshwater microalgae, finding that microplastics can physically attach to algal cells to form hetero-aggregates, altering both particle behavior and algal physiology.
Microplastics impacts in seven flagellate microalgae: Role of size and cell wall
Seven marine flagellate microalgae species were incubated with 1-micrometer polystyrene microplastics at 10 mg/L, revealing that cell size and the presence of a cell wall strongly influenced the degree of microplastic-induced physiological and growth effects across species.
Adverse effects of microplastics observed on the growth rate and health of the freshwater alga, Chlorella sp. 12.
This Australian collaborative project investigated the effects of microplastics on freshwater ecological communities. While abstract details were limited, the study is part of a broader effort to understand how microplastics affect the ecology of the Murray-Darling Basin river system.
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.
Cyanobacterial relative enrichment over diatoms: Differential responses of plankton to microplastic pollution in the Zhanghe River, Northern China
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution and its ecological impacts on plankton communities in the Zhanghe River, China, finding that fibrous polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide MPs increased from upstream to downstream and were significantly associated with cyanobacterial proliferation while inhibiting diatoms, with a synergistic interaction with total phosphorus potentially amplifying eutrophication risk.
Effect of different size microplastic particles on the construction of algal-bacterial biofilms and microbial communities
Researchers tested how microplastic particles of different sizes affect algal-bacterial biofilms used for sewage treatment. Smaller nanoplastics caused more damage to the biofilm community, reducing algal growth and shifting microbial diversity, while larger microplastics had milder effects. This matters because algal-bacterial systems are a green technology for water treatment, and microplastic contamination could undermine their effectiveness.
No Effect of Realistic Concentrations of Polyester Microplastic Fibers on Freshwater Zooplankton Communities
Researchers tested whether realistic concentrations of polyester microplastic fibers affect freshwater zooplankton communities in experimental settings. The study found no significant effects on zooplankton abundance, diversity, or community structure at environmentally relevant concentrations, suggesting that current levels of fiber pollution may not substantially impact these organisms.
Effect of Microplastics on Aquatic Food Chain and Food Web Altering Phytoplankton Community Structure
This review examines how microplastics affect phytoplankton community structure and how these effects propagate through aquatic food chains and food webs, with implications for nutrient cycling and ecosystem services.
Microplastics drive community dynamics of periphytic protozoan fauna in marine environments
Researchers exposed marine protozoan communities to varying concentrations of microplastics and tracked how the communities changed over time. They found that higher microplastic concentrations reduced species diversity and shifted community composition toward more pollution-tolerant species. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution can reshape the structure of microscopic marine communities, with potential cascading effects up the food web.
The Relationship Between Microplastic Abundance and Plankton Type Diversity
Researchers collected water samples from Kwatisore and measured both microplastic concentrations and plankton species diversity to assess their relationship. Analysis revealed a negative correlation between MP abundance and plankton diversity, suggesting that higher microplastic contamination is associated with reduced plankton species richness and potential ecosystem instability.
Combined impacts of micoplastic type, concentrations and nutrient loading on freshwater communities and ecosystems
Researchers used 40 outdoor freshwater mesocosms to test the independent and interactive effects of microplastic type (conventional vs. bio-based biodegradable), particle concentration, and nutrient enrichment on pelagic community structure and ecosystem functions including phytoplankton biomass, periphyton productivity, and leaf litter decomposition, finding no significant impacts at the ecosystem scale.
Current understanding and challenges for aquatic primary producers in a world with rising micro- and nano-plastic levels
Researchers conducted a quantitative analysis of published studies on how micro- and nanoplastics affect aquatic primary producers like microalgae. They found that microplastics generally inhibited algal growth, but typically only at concentrations much higher than those currently found in the environment, with positively charged particles being the most toxic. The study highlights that the effects on photosynthesis and metabolism vary greatly depending on particle properties and algal species.
Microplastics at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations Had Minimal Impacts on Pelagic Zooplankton Communities in a Large In-Lake Mesocosm Experiment
Researchers conducted a large-scale 10-week mesocosm experiment in a Canadian boreal lake to assess microplastic impacts on zooplankton at environmentally relevant concentrations. They found that zooplankton ingested low levels of microplastics and their overall abundance and community composition were not negatively impacted. However, temporary effects were observed, including stimulation of some species and short-term reductions in egg production, suggesting microplastics may have complex but limited effects at current environmental levels.
Microplastic in three urban estuaries, China
Researchers surveyed three urban estuaries in China and found microplastics throughout, with concentrations and types reflecting the combined influence of surrounding city density, stormwater runoff, and tidal mixing.
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.
Environmentally relevant concentrations and sizes of microplastic do not impede marine diatom growth
The marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum showed no growth inhibition when exposed to virgin polyethylene microplastics across a realistic size frequency distribution and up to 499 mg/L concentration, suggesting that environmentally relevant MP concentrations do not directly impede marine phytoplankton growth.
A critical review of interactions between microplastics, microalgae and aquatic ecosystem function
This review of microplastic-microalgae interactions found that microplastics form distinct epiplastic algal communities that differ from surrounding water communities, and that the interactions are bidirectional — MP properties affect algal physiology while algal surface coatings alter MP behavior and fate.
Responses of different species of marine microalgae and their community to gear-derived microplastics
Researchers tested how microplastics from fishing gear affected four species of marine microalgae and found that smaller particles were more toxic, significantly slowing algae growth and damaging their cells. When introduced to a mixed algae community, the microplastics shifted which species dominated and actually increased overall community diversity. Since microalgae are the foundation of the ocean food web, these changes could ripple through marine ecosystems and affect the seafood humans consume.
Microplastic characteristics in organisms of different trophic levels from Liaohe Estuary, China
Researchers collected organisms from multiple trophic levels at Liaohe Estuary, China, and measured microplastic ingestion across primary consumers, secondary consumers, and top predators, finding that MP abundance did not increase consistently with trophic level, suggesting complex feeding and depuration dynamics.
Microplastics integrating the coastal planktonic community in the inner zone of the Río de la Plata estuary (South America)
Researchers found microplastics integrated into the coastal planktonic community in the inner Río de la Plata estuary in South America, characterizing the abundance, size, type, and color of plastic particles and examining their relationships with plankton size and morphology.
Contrasting the effects of microplastic types, concentrations and nutrient enrichment on freshwater communities and ecosystem functioning
Researchers tested two types of microplastics, conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid, in outdoor freshwater mesocosms and found that neither type significantly affected community composition or ecosystem functions like algae growth and leaf decomposition. Even at concentrations known to cause harm in lab settings, the microplastics had minimal impact when tested in more realistic ecological conditions. The study suggests that real-world microplastic effects on freshwater communities may differ from laboratory predictions.
Do microplastics affect marine ecosystem productivity?
This study estimated the potential impact of microplastics on marine ecosystem productivity (algae and zooplankton growth) by synthesizing lab toxicity data. The analysis suggested that current environmental microplastic concentrations may reduce primary productivity in some ocean regions, with knock-on effects up the food chain.
A multi-factor analysis evaluating the toxicity of microplastics on algal growth
This meta-analysis evaluated how microplastic characteristics such as polymer type, size, shape, and concentration influence algal growth, finding that effects range from inhibition to enhancement depending on multiple interacting factors.