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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Toxic effects of microplastics on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in estuarine microalgae under stress conditions
ClearImpact of extracellular polymeric substances from Skeletonema costatum on the combined toxicity of microplastics and antibiotics in estuarine environment
Researchers investigated how extracellular polymeric substances from the diatom Skeletonema costatum modified the combined toxicity of polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics with the antibiotic sulfamethazine, finding that the EPS layer provided partial protection against the joint pollutant stress.
Microplastic removal in aquatic systems using extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of microalgae
Researchers tested whether extracellular polymeric substances produced by microalgae could remove microplastics from water. Among four microalgae strains tested under stress conditions, Spirulina produced the most polymeric substances and formed the largest aggregates with microplastic particles. The study suggests that microalgae-based bioremediation could offer a sustainable, low-cost approach to reducing microplastic contamination in water sources.
Impact of weathered and virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) micro- and nanoplastics on growth dynamics and the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of microalgae
Researchers compared how fresh and sun-weathered PET micro and nanoplastics affect microalgae growth and the sticky substances (EPS) algae produce in response to stress. Weathered plastics triggered more EPS production and had greater effects on algae than fresh plastics did. Since algae form the base of aquatic food chains and most ocean microplastics have been weathered by sunlight, these findings suggest real-world impacts on marine ecosystems may be worse than laboratory studies with fresh plastics indicate.
Functional groups in microalgal extracellular polymeric substances: A promising biopolymer for microplastic mitigation in marine ecosystems
Researchers characterized the sticky, sugar-like substances (extracellular polymeric substances, or EPS) produced by three types of microalgae and found these natural biopolymers could potentially bind and aggregate microplastics in marine environments, pointing toward a nature-based approach to reducing ocean plastic pollution.
Environment-driven regulation of EPS secretion and interfacial coupling in microalgae-microplastic hetero-aggregates: Insights from molecular mechanisms to utilization potential
Researchers investigated how different nutrient levels and microplastic types regulate extracellular polymeric substance secretion and aggregation behavior in the microalgae Scenedesmus sp. Using experimental observations and density functional theory simulations, the study revealed molecular mechanisms underlying microalgae-microplastic interactions that influence pollutant transport and ecological risks in aquatic ecosystems.
Toxic Effects of Microplastics on Culture Scenedesmus quadricauda: Interactions between Microplastics and Algae
Researchers found that microplastics from multiple polymer types inhibit growth of the freshwater alga Scenedesmus quadricauda and induce oxidative stress, with toxicity varying by polymer type, particle size, and concentration.
Impact of Microplastics on Growth and Lipid Accumulation in Scenedesmus quadricauda
Researchers exposed the microalga Scenedesmus quadricauda to polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene microplastics at 250 mg/L in four size fractions (50–500 µm) and found all MPs suppressed algal growth while increasing lipid accumulation. Polypropylene caused the strongest inhibitory effects and the highest lipid yield—especially at the smallest 50 µm size—suggesting MPs stress-drive lipid overproduction in microalgae.
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.
Determination of polyethylene microplastics toxicity by microalgae Scenedesmus sp.
This study investigated the toxicity of polyethylene microplastics on the freshwater microalgae Scenedesmus sp. Results showed that microplastics inhibited algal growth and photosynthesis, indicating potential harm to aquatic ecosystems.
Effects of Polystyrene Microparticles on Growth and Physiological Metabolism of Microalgae Scendesmus obliquus
Researchers examined the toxic effects of polystyrene microparticles on the microalga Scenedesmus obliquus, finding that exposure inhibited growth and disrupted photosynthesis and antioxidant defense systems in a concentration-dependent manner.
Ecological responses of coral reef to polyethylene microplastics in community structure and extracellular polymeric substances
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics affect coral reef communities, finding that microplastic exposure altered extracellular polymeric substance production and community structure in scleractinian coral, indicating ecological stress responses.
Algal EPS modifies the toxicity potential of the mixture of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) and triphenyl phosphate in freshwater microalgae Chlorella sp.
Researchers found that a natural substance produced by algae (extracellular polymeric substances, or EPS) can reduce the toxic effects of nanoplastics combined with a flame retardant chemical in freshwater. The EPS coated the nanoplastics and reduced their ability to harm algal cells. This natural protective mechanism could play an important role in how aquatic ecosystems buffer against the combined threat of microplastics and chemical pollutants.
The role of algal EPS in reducing the combined toxicity of BPA and polystyrene nanoparticles to the freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus
Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics and the industrial chemical BPA affect freshwater algae when combined, and whether the algae's own protective secretions could reduce the damage. Carboxylated nanoplastics were the most toxic form, and the algae's natural exopolymeric substances helped buffer the combined toxicity. The findings suggest that biological interactions in real waterways may partially mitigate some harmful effects of nanoplastic pollution.
Nano- and microplastics trigger secretion of protein-rich extracellular polymeric substances from phytoplankton
Researchers exposed four marine phytoplankton species to polystyrene nano- and microplastics and found that the smallest particles (55 nm nanoplastics) caused the most stress, reducing cell survival and altering the composition of secreted extracellular substances. The stressed phytoplankton produced protein-rich exopolymeric substances that facilitated the formation of aggregates around the plastic particles. The study suggests that nanoplastic pollution can change how marine microorganisms interact with their environment, affecting both plastic fate and microbial ecology.
Microplastics removal from water body by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted from microalge through surfactants pre-treatment
Researchers explored using extracellular polymeric substances extracted from microalgae — combined with surfactant pretreatment — to remove microplastics from water. The biological approach showed promise as a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional filtration methods.
The utilization of exopolysaccharide (EPS) from microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in microplastic removal
Researchers investigated whether exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Chlorella vulgaris microalgae can facilitate the removal of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics from aquatic systems, while also examining microplastic effects on algal growth. The study demonstrates that EPS functions as a bioflocculant capable of binding microplastics, with implications for biologically-based water treatment.
An ecotoxicological approach towards the understanding of the impacts of micro- and nanoplastics in the marine environment
This PhD thesis investigated how micro- and nanoplastics affect marine microalgae and associated microbial consortia, examining how extracellular polymeric substances mediate plastic-biota interactions and how these effects cascade to higher trophic levels in marine 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.
Algal extracellular polymeric substances (algal-EPS) for mitigating the combined toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and nano-TiO2 in Chlorella sp.
This study found that algal extracellular polymeric substances can coat both polystyrene nanoplastics and titanium dioxide nanoparticles and reduce their combined toxic effects on the green alga Chlorella, suggesting that natural organic matter in marine environments can buffer combined nanoparticle 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.
Comparative assessment of MP effects on pigment composition and lipid profiles in three marine microalgae
Researchers exposed three marine microalgae species to polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics and found that the particles altered pigment composition and lipid profiles in species-specific ways. Microplastic exposure generally reduced photosynthetic pigments and shifted fatty acid profiles, with effects varying depending on the polymer type and concentration ratio. The study suggests that microplastic pollution could disrupt the biochemistry of ecologically and commercially important microalgae at the base of marine food webs.
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.
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.
Effects of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics on cell growth, intracellular products and oxidative stress of Scenedesmus sp.
Researchers exposed freshwater microalgae to PET microplastics, a common plastic found in beverage bottles and textiles. Higher concentrations of PET particles significantly reduced algal growth and disrupted the cells' internal production of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. The study suggests that PET microplastic pollution in wastewater could harm the tiny organisms that form the foundation of aquatic food webs.