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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic characteristics differentially influence cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom microbial community membership, growth, and toxin production
ClearEcological risk analysis and prediction of microplastics' effects on Microcystis aeruginosa in freshwater system: a meta-analysis approach
This meta-analysis found that micro- and nanoplastics can both inhibit and stimulate the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa — a harmful algal bloom cyanobacterium — depending on particle size and degradability. Smaller, degradable plastics tend to promote algal growth, suggesting microplastic pollution could worsen toxic algal blooms in freshwater systems used for drinking water.
Uncovering the potential effect of microplastics on Alexandrium pacificum: From the perspective of cyst formation and toxin production
Microplastics were found to influence the growth and toxin production of Alexandrium (a harmful algal bloom species), with effects depending on plastic type and concentration. This raises concerns that microplastic pollution could alter the frequency or severity of harmful algal blooms in coastal waters.
Complex interactions among temperature, microplastics and cyanobacteria may facilitate cyanobacteria proliferation and microplastic deposition
Researchers investigated how microplastics interact with temperature and nutrient conditions to affect cyanobacterial growth, finding that microplastics can alter cyanobacterial physiology and potentially exacerbate bloom formation under warming conditions.
Sorption of the common freshwater cyanotoxin microcystin to microplastics
Researchers demonstrated that microplastics from freshwater environments can adsorb the harmful algal bloom toxin microcystin onto their surfaces, potentially concentrating the toxin and altering its environmental fate. This finding suggests that microplastics in lakes with cyanobacterial blooms may act as carriers for toxins that affect fish, wildlife, and humans.
Size-dependent toxic effects of polystyrene microplastic exposure on Microcystis aeruginosa growth and microcystin production
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.
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.
Responses of Microcystis aeruginosa to polystyrene microplastics: Growth dynamics and implications for water treatment
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.
Comparative growth and cellular responses of toxigenic Microcystis exposed to different types of microplastics at various doses
Researchers exposed toxigenic Microcystis cyanobacteria to polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics at various concentrations to study dose- and time-dependent effects. They found that low microplastic doses initially stimulated growth, while higher doses increasingly inhibited it, with PVC showing stronger effects than polyethylene. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in freshwaters could influence the behavior of harmful algal blooms depending on the type and concentration of plastic present.
Growth inhibition, toxin production and oxidative stress caused by three microplastics in Microcystis aeruginosa
Researchers tested the effects of three common microplastic types, PVC, polystyrene, and polyethylene, on the growth and toxin production of the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. They found that all three microplastics inhibited algal growth and triggered oxidative stress, with PVC causing the most severe effects. The study also revealed that microplastic exposure stimulated the production of microcystin toxins, suggesting that plastic pollution could worsen harmful algal bloom impacts in freshwater systems.
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.
Microplastics benefit bacteria colonization and induce microcystin degradation
Polystyrene microplastics in a microcosm experiment facilitated bacterial colonization and promoted the degradation of the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin, with the plastisphere community showing distinct metabolic activity compared to free-living bacteria. The study reveals that microplastic biofilms can unexpectedly accelerate detoxification of co-occurring harmful algal bloom toxins.
Lacustrine plastisphere: Distinct succession and assembly processes of prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities and role of site, time, and polymer types
Researchers investigated how microbial communities colonize different types of microplastic polymers in freshwater lakes. The study found that bacteria and single-celled organisms follow distinct assembly patterns on microplastic surfaces, with colonization time, location, and polymer type all influencing community composition. These findings suggest microplastics serve as carriers that can promote microbial spread in aquatic environments.
Combined effects of microplastics and excess boron on Microcystis aeruginosa
Researchers studied the combined effects of microplastics and excess boron on a common freshwater cyanobacterium (Microcystis aeruginosa). They found that amino-modified polystyrene microplastics were the most harmful, inhibiting growth and worsening boron toxicity, while other surface-modified types actually stimulated growth. The study reveals that the surface chemistry of microplastics plays a key role in how they interact with other pollutants to affect aquatic microorganisms.
Interactions between cyanobacteria and emerging contaminants in aqueous environments
A review examined how cyanobacteria interact with emerging contaminants including microplastics in aquatic environments, finding that plastic surfaces can harbor cyanobacterial growth and influence toxin production. The interactions complicate pollution assessment and may amplify ecological risks in nutrient-rich waters.
Micro- and nanoplastic stress intensifies Microcystis aeruginosa physiology and toxin risks under environmentally relevant water chemistry conditions
Researchers exposed the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to environmentally relevant concentrations of micro- and nanoplastics, finding both significantly enhanced algal biomass and microcystin toxin production, with nanoplastics additionally promoting extracellular toxin release.
Distribution and changes in microplastics in Taihu Lake and cyanobacterial blooms formed by the aggregation of Microcystis colonies
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in the surface water and sediments of Taihu Lake, China, finding abundances of 0-3.7 items/L in surface water and 44.42-417.56 items/kg in sediments, and exploring relationships between microplastics, nutrient pollutants, and cyanobacterial bloom formation in this heavily eutrophic freshwater system.
Adsorption of cyanotoxins on polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate: Microplastics as vector of eight microcystin analogues
Eight microcystin analogues were tested for adsorption onto polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics, finding that these common plastics can bind cyanotoxins from freshwater environments. The study identifies microplastics as potential vectors for cyanobacterial toxins in lakes and reservoirs, with implications for drinking water safety.
Microplastic biofilm in fresh- and wastewater as a function of microparticle type and size class
Researchers compared the biofilm communities that form on microplastics of different types and sizes in both freshwater and wastewater, finding that biofilm composition was influenced by particle type, size, and water source. These findings advance understanding of the plastisphere — the microbial community unique to plastic surfaces — and its potential role in spreading microorganism-associated risks.
Complex microplastics significantly influence the assembly process of lake bacterial communities
Researchers examined how complex environmental microplastics -- varying in abundance, shape, size, color, and polymer type -- influence bacterial community assembly in water and sediments of Taihu Lake, China. Microplastics were associated with shifts in bacterial community composition and assembly processes, with distinct communities forming on plastic surfaces compared to surrounding lake water and sediments.
Changes of the physicochemical properties of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from Microcystis aeruginosa in response to microplastics
This study examined how microplastics affect the extracellular polymeric substances produced by the common freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, which plays a role in harmful algal blooms. Researchers found that microplastic exposure altered the composition and structure of these substances over time. The findings suggest that microplastics could influence how cyanobacteria aggregate and form blooms, with potential implications for water quality management.