We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Unraveling the toxicity mechanisms of nanoplastics with various surface modifications on Skeletonema costatum: Cellular and molecular perspectives
ClearPreferential adsorption of medium molecular weight proteins in extracellular polymeric substance alleviates toxicity of small-sized microplastics to Skeletonema costatum
Scientists discovered that natural substances secreted by marine algae form a coating on microplastic surfaces that actually reduces the toxicity of the smallest particles. This coating, made of proteins and sugars, changed the surface properties of the microplastics and helped the algae grow better despite the pollution. The finding suggests that natural biological processes in the ocean may partially buffer the harmful effects of microplastics, though this protection may vary with particle size.
Functionalized nanoplastics alter physiology and toxin production in Alexandrium pacificum through surface charge effects
Researchers tested how surface-modified nanoplastics affect the harmful algae species Alexandrium pacificum, which produces paralytic shellfish toxins. They found that amino-modified nanoplastics had greater bioavailability to the algae and altered the composition of toxins produced, while all nanoplastic types impaired photosynthesis and triggered oxidative stress. The study suggests that nanoplastic surface chemistry plays a critical role in determining how these particles interact with and affect marine microorganisms.
Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of size-dependent effect of polystyrene micro/nano-plastics on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii through proteomic profiling
Researchers used proteomic profiling to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind how different sizes of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affect the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. They found that particle size plays a critical role in determining the type and severity of biological responses in the algae. The study suggests that nanoscale plastic particles may pose distinct ecological risks compared to larger microplastics due to their ability to trigger different cellular stress pathways.
A study on the effect of fluorescently stained micro(nano)plastics on the full life history of Skeletonema costatum
Researchers investigated the effects of fluorescently stained micro(nano)plastics on the full life history of marine microalgae, measuring impacts on growth, photosynthesis, and physiological morphology to assess whether fluorescent labeling alters observed toxicity outcomes.
Nanoplastics andthe Role of the Corona in the BiologicalResponses of Daphnia magna
Researchers studied how biomolecule coatings from fetal bovine serum, Daphnia secretions, and algae affected nanoplastic toxicity in Daphnia magna, finding that coatings altered the nanoplastic surface and affected internalization and biological responses differently depending on the biomolecule source.
Nanoplastics reshape lipid metabolism in marine microalgae with potential ecological consequence
Researchers exposed a marine microalga important to ocean ecosystems to nanoplastics and found significant disruptions to its lipid metabolism, reducing both biomass and lipid production. The nanoplastics altered the types of fats the algae produced, potentially affecting the nutritional value of these organisms for the marine food web. The findings suggest that nanoplastic pollution could have cascading ecological consequences by disrupting carbon cycling at the base of the food chain.
Distinct Responses of Biofilm Carbon Metabolism to Nanoplastics with Different Surface Modifications
Researchers found that nanoplastics with different surface modifications (non-functionalized, carboxylated, and carbon-source-modified) produced distinct responses in freshwater biofilm carbon metabolism, highlighting the importance of surface chemistry in nanoplastic toxicity.
Toxicity of polystyrene microplastics in freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus: Effects of particle size and surface charge
Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and surface charges affect the freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus. The study found that smaller 1-micrometer particles caused greater oxidative stress, reduced photosynthetic effectiveness, and decreased membrane integrity compared to larger 12-micrometer particles, with effects being dose-dependent.
Micro/nano-plastics and microalgae in aquatic environment: Influence factor, interaction, and molecular mechanisms.
This review examined the interactions between micro/nanoplastics and microalgae in aquatic environments, summarizing how plastic particle size, surface chemistry, and co-pollutants influence algal toxicity through oxidative stress, photosynthesis inhibition, and gene expression changes.
Effects of nanoplastics on microalgae and their trophic transfer along the food chain: recent advances and perspectives
This review summarized evidence on how nanoplastics affect microalgae — including growth inhibition, oxidative stress, and altered photosynthesis — and examined trophic transfer of nanoplastics up the food chain, finding that toxicity depended on NP concentration, size, and surface charge.
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.
Investigating the Molecular Response of Skeletonema marinoi to Polyethylene Nano/Microplastics: Insights into Stress Genes, Inflammation, and Extracellular Polymeric Substance Production
Researchers exposed the marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi to polyethylene nano- and microplastics and found that, despite no significant effect on growth, the particles triggered oxidative stress responses, inflammatory-like gene expression, and activation of programmed cell death pathways. The study suggests that even when diatoms appear resilient on the surface, microplastics may cause subtle molecular disruptions that could affect bloom dynamics and carbon cycling in the ocean.
Persistence of algal toxicity induced by polystyrene nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations
Researchers studied whether the harmful effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on marine algae are temporary or long-lasting. They found that while some damage, like oxidative stress, was reversible after exposure ended, other effects such as increased cell membrane damage persisted. The study suggests that even at low, environmentally realistic concentrations, nanoplastics can cause lasting disruption to algal metabolism and cell function.
Polystyrene nanoplastics cause growth inhibition, morphological damage and physiological disturbance in the marine microalga Platymonas helgolandica
Researchers exposed marine green microalgae to polystyrene nanoplastics and found significant growth inhibition, increased membrane permeability, disrupted photosynthesis, and visible morphological damage — including surface fragmentation and cellular rupture — at concentrations as low as 200 µg/L.
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.
Nanoplastics and the Role of the Corona in the Biological Responses of Daphnia magna
Researchers exposed Daphnia magna neonates to nanoplastics coated with biomolecules from fetal bovine serum, Daphnia secretions, or algae, finding that coatings altered nanoplastic surface properties and affected internalization and biological responses differently depending on the biomolecule source.
Influences of different functional groups on the toxicity of pyrene derivatives to Skeletonema costatum: Interactive effects with polystyrene microplastics
Researchers examined how polystyrene microplastics modify the toxicity of pyrene and four pyrene derivatives to the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum, finding that functional groups on the pyrene molecule determined whether microplastics enhanced or reduced algal toxicity.
Are the primary characteristics of polystyrene nanoplastics responsible for toxicity and ad/absorption in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum?
Researchers exposed the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum to 50 nm and 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics and found that smaller particles triggered faster oxidative stress and photosynthetic damage while larger ones were more stable and caused greater growth inhibition over 72 hours, illustrating how particle size shapes toxicity dynamics in marine algae.
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.
The role of microplastics in microalgae cells aggregation: A study at the molecular scale using atomic force microscopy
Atomic force microscopy was used at the molecular scale to study how microplastics interact with microalgae cells and affect their aggregation, finding that plastic particles altered cell surface properties and promoted clumping. The results suggest that microplastics can disrupt the normal behavior of primary producers at the base of aquatic food chains.