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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Persistence of algal toxicity induced by polystyrene nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations
ClearPolystyrene 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.
Persistence and Recovery of Polystyrene and Polymethyl Methacrylate Microplastic Toxicity on Diatoms
Researchers tested whether the toxic effects of polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate microplastics on marine diatoms persist after the plastic particles are removed. They found that both types of microplastics inhibited algal growth, increased oxidative stress, and caused structural damage, with some effects lingering even after a recovery period. The study suggests that even temporary microplastic exposure can cause lasting harm to the tiny algae that produce nearly 40% of the ocean's oxygen.
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.
Unravelling the toxicity mechanisms of polystyrene nanoplastics on physiological and transcriptomic responses of the marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum
Researchers exposed the toxic marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum to polystyrene nanoplastics at concentrations from 0.1 to 50 mg/L and measured physiological responses and toxin production. NP exposure inhibited growth and photosynthesis, altered gene expression, and changed the profile of paralytic shellfish toxins produced by the alga.
Investigation of the toxic effects of different polystyrene micro-and nanoplastics on microalgae Chlorella vulgaris by analysis of cell viability, pigment content, oxidative stress and ultrastructural changes
Researchers examined the toxic effects of different-sized polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics on the microalga Chlorella vulgaris in long-term exposure tests. The study found that smaller particles (20 and 50 nm) caused greater reductions in cell viability and chlorophyll concentration than larger ones, with surface functionalization also influencing toxicity and ultrastructural damage.
The impact of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on physiological and biochemical parameters of the microalgae Spirulina platensis
Researchers exposed the microalgae Spirulina platensis to polystyrene nanoplastics at three concentrations over 20 days and found dose-dependent reductions in growth rate, dry weight, and photosynthetic pigments alongside increased oxidative stress markers, indicating nanoplastics impair algal physiology even at relatively low exposure levels.
The Effecting Mechanisms of 100 nm Sized Polystyrene Nanoplastics on the Typical Coastal Alexandrium tamarense
Researchers examined the effects of 100-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics on the harmful algal bloom species Alexandrium tamarense. They found that nanoplastic exposure inhibited algal growth and photosynthesis while increasing production of paralytic shellfish toxins and reactive oxygen species. The study suggests that nanoplastic pollution in coastal waters could worsen harmful algal bloom impacts by stressing toxin-producing algal species.
Size-Dependent Effects of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on Freshwater Microalgae After Long-Term Exposure
Researchers exposed a common freshwater algae species to polystyrene nanoplastics of three different sizes over an extended period. They found that the smallest particles caused the most damage to algae cells, while the largest particles had relatively mild effects, revealing a clear size-dependent toxicity pattern. The study suggests that the tiniest nanoplastic particles in freshwater environments may pose the greatest risk to the base of aquatic food webs.
Nanoparticle-Biological Interactions in a Marine Benthic Foraminifer
Researchers exposed single-celled marine organisms called foraminifera to three types of engineered nanoparticles — including polystyrene nanoplastics — and found that all three accumulated inside the cells and triggered oxidative stress (a form of cellular damage). This study shows that even microscopic seafloor organisms are vulnerable to nanoplastic pollution, expanding the known range of species harmed by plastic contamination.
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.
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.
Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on growth and hemolysin production of microalgae Karlodinium veneficum
Researchers exposed the harmful algal bloom species Karlodinium veneficum to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that high concentrations significantly inhibited algal growth and caused oxidative damage to cells. The nanoplastics disrupted cell morphology and weakened photosynthesis and energy metabolism in the algae. Notably, while growth was suppressed, the algae produced more hemolysin toxin, suggesting nanoplastic pollution could make harmful algal blooms more toxic.
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.
Long-Term Effects of Nanoplastics on Growth, Photosynthesis, and Oxidative Stress in Asterococcus superbus
A 30-day nanoplastic exposure experiment on the freshwater alga Asterococcus superbus showed that long-term exposure caused progressive declines in growth rate, photosynthetic efficiency, and antioxidant capacity that were not evident in shorter acute toxicity studies.
Nanoplastics inDuckweed: Single-Cell Responses andRecovery
This study examined how polystyrene nanoplastics affect duckweed at the single-cell level, documenting photosynthetic disruption and oxidative stress, as well as partial recovery after exposure ceased. The results indicate aquatic macrophytes have some resilience to nanoplastic stress but can sustain lasting cellular damage at higher doses.
Toxicological effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on marine organisms
Researchers exposed Pacific white shrimp to polystyrene nanoplastics at various concentrations and measured immune, antioxidant, and tissue responses after seven days. They found that nanoplastic exposure disrupted immune function, increased oxidative stress, and caused tissue damage, particularly in the hepatopancreas and gills. The study adds to growing evidence that nanoplastics can harm the health of commercially important 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.
Nanoplastics inhibit carbon fixation in algae: The effect of aging
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics (tiny plastic particles under 1 micrometer) damage the photosynthesis machinery in green algae and disrupt the carbon-fixing processes that help regulate Earth's climate, though UV-aged nanoplastics caused slightly less damage than fresh ones due to surface changes. This suggests nanoplastic pollution could have ripple effects on the global carbon cycle by harming microscopic algae.
Tracking nanoplastics in freshwater microcosms and their impacts to aquatic organisms
Researchers tracked palladium-doped polystyrene nanoplastics in freshwater microcosms and found they caused toxic effects on cyanobacteria, green algae, and crustaceans at varying concentrations, with particle aggregation and surface interactions driving organism-specific impacts.
Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of microalga Scenedesmus quadricauda
Polystyrene nanoplastics were found to disrupt the physiology and biochemistry of freshwater microalgae, affecting photosynthesis, growth rates, and oxidative stress markers at environmentally relevant concentrations. The results highlight nanoplastics as a threat to phytoplankton, the base of freshwater food webs.
Post-exposure recovery of Microcystis aeruginosa from nanoplastics stress: metabolic adaptation and damage resilience
Researchers exposed Microcystis aeruginosa cyanobacteria to polystyrene nanoplastics for 15 days, then transferred them to NP-free medium to study post-exposure recovery. Toxicity was concentration-dependent during exposure, and cells showed metabolic changes and only partial recovery after removal, suggesting persistent effects on cyanobacterial physiology.
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.
Response of coral reef dinoflagellates to nanoplastics under experimental conditions
Researchers exposed symbiotic dinoflagellates from coral reefs to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that cell growth and aggregation were significantly reduced after 10 days. The findings suggest that nanoplastic pollution could harm the tiny algae that are essential to coral reef health, with potential consequences for reef ecosystems.
Combined effects of nanoplastics and copper on the freshwater alga Raphidocelis subcapitata
Researchers found that carboxylated polystyrene nanoplastics do not adsorb copper ions or alter copper toxicity to freshwater algae in short- or long-term tests, but that nanoplastics do attach to algal cell walls and cause morphological changes — highlighting the importance of prolonged exposures and multiple endpoints in nanoplastic toxicity assessments.