We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The aging of microplastics exacerbates the damage to photosynthetic performance and bioenergy production in microalgae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa)
ClearEcotoxicological 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.
Effects of the Exposure of Aged Micro-Polyethylene Terephthalate on the Growth Status and Photosynthesis of Chlorella sp. UTEX1602
This study found that microplastics aged through UV exposure, strong acids, or strong alkalis were significantly more toxic to the freshwater microalga Chlorella than unaged microplastics, inhibiting growth and disrupting photosynthetic pigments. The results highlight that weathered microplastics in the environment — rather than pristine particles — pose the greater ecological risk to aquatic primary producers.
Oxidative stress and energy metabolic response of Isochrysis galbana induced by different types of pristine and aging microplastics and their leachates
Researchers compared how different types of pristine and aged microplastics affect a marine microalga used in aquaculture. Aged microplastics were more toxic than fresh ones, and the chemical compounds they released into the water caused greater oxidative stress and energy disruption in algal cells. The study suggests that as microplastics weather in the environment, they may become more harmful to the base of the marine food chain.
Single and combined toxicity assessment of primary or UV-aged microplastics and adsorbed organic pollutants on microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Researchers investigated the single and combined toxicity of polyamide microplastics with the pollutants sulfamethoxazole and dicamba on the green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa. They found that UV-aged microplastics caused different toxic effects than pristine ones, and that microplastics altered the bioavailability and toxicity of the co-occurring pollutants. The study suggests that environmental aging of microplastics changes their interactions with other contaminants, potentially affecting aquatic organisms in complex ways.
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.
Evaluating physiological responses of microalgae towards environmentally coexisting microplastics: A meta-analysis
A meta-analysis of 52 studies found that microplastics inhibit microalgal growth and photosynthesis and induce oxidative damage, though microalgae can recover over time. Cyanobacteria are more vulnerable than green algae, and the relative size of microplastics to algal cells governs the mechanism of impact, while aged versus pristine microplastics have opposite effects on extracellular polymeric substance and microcystin production.
Aging process potentially aggravates microplastic toxicity in aquatic organisms: Evidence from a comprehensive synthesis
This meta-analysis found that environmental aging of microplastics significantly worsens their toxicity to aquatic organisms overall, particularly harming algae, zooplankton, and fish. However, the effect varied by organism type — aged microplastics were less toxic to aquatic plants. Aging methods, particle characteristics, and environmental conditions all modulated the severity of toxicity.
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.
Recent progress on the toxic effects of microplastics on Chlorella sp. in aquatic environments
This review summarizes research on how microplastics affect Chlorella, a type of green algae that forms the base of aquatic food chains. Microplastics can slow algae growth, cause oxidative stress, and disrupt photosynthesis, which matters for human health because damage to these foundational organisms can ripple up through the food web and affect the quality of water and seafood.
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.
Effect and mechanism of microplastics exposure against microalgae: Photosynthesis and oxidative stress
Meta-analysis of 55 studies (835 endpoints) found that microplastics reduce chlorophyll-a content and hinder electron transfer in microalgae photosynthetic systems, causing oxidative stress damage. Effects were concentration- and size-dependent, with freshwater microalgae more susceptible than marine species.
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.
Effect of microplastics exposure on the photosynthesis system of freshwater algae
Researchers investigated how polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics affect the photosynthesis system of freshwater algae and found that both types reduced chlorophyll content and impaired photosynthetic efficiency. The damage was concentration-dependent and worsened over the growth period. The study highlights that microplastic pollution in freshwater can harm algae, which form the base of aquatic food chains.
The toxicity of virgin and UV-aged PVC microplastics on the growth of freshwater algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Researchers compared the toxicity of virgin and UV-aged polyvinyl chloride microplastics on the freshwater algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. They found that both types inhibited algal growth and reduced chlorophyll levels, but UV-aged microplastics were significantly more toxic due to surface chemical changes from the aging process. The study suggests that weathered microplastics in the environment may pose greater risks to freshwater organisms than newly produced plastic particles.
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.
Toxic effects of pristine and aged polystyrene and their leachate on marine microalgae Skeletonema costatum
Researchers compared the toxic effects of pristine and aged polystyrene microplastics, as well as their chemical leachates, on the marine microalga Skeletonema costatum. The study found that aged microplastics and their leachates caused greater growth inhibition, reduced chlorophyll concentration, and triggered stronger oxidative stress responses than pristine particles, suggesting that environmental weathering increases the toxicity of plastic debris.
The toxic effects of polystyrene microplastics on freshwater algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa depends on the different size of polystyrene microplastics
Researchers tested how two sizes of polystyrene microplastics affect the freshwater alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa, an important organism at the base of aquatic food webs. They found that smaller microplastics caused more severe damage to algal growth, photosynthesis, and cellular health than larger ones, with effects worsening over time and at higher concentrations. The study demonstrates that microplastic size is a critical factor determining toxicity to aquatic phytoplankton.
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.
Molecular mechanism for combined toxicity of micro(nano)plastics and carbon nanofibers to freshwater microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Researchers tested how microplastics, nanoplastics, and carbon nanofibers affect freshwater algae individually and in combination, finding that the combined effects were significantly worse than either pollutant alone. Nanoplastics combined with carbon nanofibers caused the most severe cellular stress, damaging cell membranes, increasing oxidative stress, and disrupting energy metabolism. Since algae form the base of aquatic food chains, this damage could cascade through ecosystems and affect the safety of water and seafood for humans.
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.
Damages of aged-PVC microplastics exceed the enhanced resistance of chlorella pyrenoidosa induced by phosphorus limitation
Researchers studied how the green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa responds to aged PVC microplastics under both normal and phosphorus-limited conditions. The study found that while phosphorus limitation initially enhanced the algae's stress resistance, the damage caused by aged PVC microplastics ultimately exceeded this protective effect, indicating that microplastic contamination poses a serious threat to phytoplankton even under nutrient-stressed conditions.
Distinct exposure impact of non-degradable and biodegradable microplastics on freshwater microalgae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa): Implications for polylactic acid as a sustainable plastic alternative
This study compared how aged biodegradable PLA microplastics and conventional polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics affect freshwater algae. While PLA caused milder stress and prompted algae to produce protective compounds, conventional plastics inhibited photosynthesis and caused more severe cellular damage. The findings suggest that PLA may be a genuinely less harmful alternative to traditional plastics for aquatic ecosystems, though it still causes some biological stress.
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.
Induced aging, structural change, and adsorption behavior modifications of microplastics by microalgae
Researchers found that microalgal biofouling caused more significant aging and surface degradation of microplastics compared to river microbial biofouling over a 30-day period. The study suggests that algae-induced aging substantially enhances the ability of polyethylene and PVC microplastics to adsorb organic pollutants like bisphenol analogues, increasing their potential to transport contaminants in the environment.