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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics impacts in seven flagellate microalgae: Role of size and cell wall
ClearSize-dependent cellular internalization and effects of polystyrene microplastics in microalgae P. helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis and S. quadricauda
Researchers investigated whether polystyrene microplastics of different sizes could be internalized by marine and freshwater microalgae cells. Using confocal laser scanning and 3D image analysis, the study found size-dependent cellular uptake, with smaller microbeads more readily internalized, suggesting that microplastic size is a critical factor in their biological interactions with phytoplankton.
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.
Energy metabolism response induced by microplastic for marine dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi
Researchers examined how different sizes and types of plastic particles affect the energy metabolism of the marine dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi. The study found that smaller polystyrene particles caused greater damage to cell membrane potential, increased polysaccharide content, and weakened ATPase activity, indicating that nano-scale plastics have a more pronounced impact on cellular energy metabolism than larger microplastics.
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.
Microplastic interactions with freshwater microalgae: Hetero-aggregation and changes in plastic density appear strongly dependent on polymer type
Researchers studied interactions between microplastics and freshwater microalgae, finding that microplastics can physically attach to algal cells to form hetero-aggregates, altering both particle behavior and algal physiology.
Heterotrophic Dinoflagellate Growth and Grazing Rates Reduced by Microplastic Ingestion
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastic ingestion significantly reduced the growth and grazing rates of heterotrophic dinoflagellates, suggesting that microplastic pollution could disrupt marine microbial food webs at the single-celled predator level.
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.
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.
Assessment of the Influence of Size and Concentration on the Ecotoxicity of Microplastics to Microalgae Scenedesmus sp., Bacterium Pseudomonas putida and Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Researchers assessed the ecotoxicity of five common microplastic types on microalgae, bacteria, and yeast, finding that polyvinyl chloride caused the most growth inhibition and that smaller particle sizes generally increased harmful effects.
Physiological responses of the microalga Isochrysis galbana exposed to polystyrene microplastics with different particle sizes
Researchers exposed the marine microalga Isochrysis galbana to polystyrene microplastics of three different sizes and found that smaller particles caused more severe damage. The smallest microplastics inhibited growth, reduced photosynthetic efficiency, and increased oxidative stress more than larger particles. The study highlights that particle size is a critical factor in determining how harmful microplastics are to the base of the marine food chain.
Physiological effects of micro-plastics on the red algae, Grateloupia turuturu and Chondrus sp.
This study investigated how polystyrene microspheres affect two species of red algae, finding that the smoother-surfaced species adsorbed fewer microplastics and showed less growth inhibition than the rough-surfaced species. The results suggest that surface characteristics of marine algae influence how microplastics attach to and affect them, with implications for understanding microplastic impacts on marine primary producers.
The effects and mechanisms of polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate with different sizes and concentrations on Gymnodinium aeruginosum
Researchers exposed the microalga Gymnodinium aeruginosum to polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate microplastics of different sizes and concentrations, finding that smaller particles and higher concentrations caused greater oxidative stress and growth inhibition. The study revealed that microplastics can physically adhere to and damage algal cell membranes, disrupting cellular structure and function.
Adverse physiological and molecular level effects of polystyrene microplastics on freshwater microalgae
Researchers investigated the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastics on the freshwater microalgae Euglena gracilis. The study found that microplastic exposure at 1 mg/L induced vacuole formation within 24 hours and significantly disrupted photosynthesis, with smaller particles (0.1 micrometers) causing more severe cellular damage than larger ones (5 micrometers), suggesting size-dependent toxicity mechanisms.
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.
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.
Do plastic particles affect microalgal photosynthesis and growth?
This study investigated whether polystyrene particles of different sizes and charges affect growth and photosynthesis in three marine microalgae species. The results showed that charged particles caused greater inhibition of algal growth at the lowest concentrations tested, suggesting that plastic particle charge and size influence their toxicity to primary producers at the base of marine food chains.
Internalization of polystyrene microplastics in Euglena gracilis and its effects on the protozoan photosynthesis and motility
Researchers exposed Euglena gracilis protozoa to polystyrene microplastics and found that while photosynthesis was unaffected at tested concentrations, motility was significantly reduced at higher doses, suggesting that microplastics impair locomotion in unicellular flagellates that would normally avoid or evade particles.
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.
Microplastic size-dependent biochemical and molecular effects in alga Heterosigma akashiwo
Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics on the harmful algal species Heterosigma akashiwo, finding that 80-nanometer particles were more toxic than 1-micrometer particles. The study showed that smaller nanoplastics at higher concentrations inhibited algal growth and photosynthesis, disrupted antioxidant enzyme activity, and altered gene expression, suggesting size-dependent toxicity mechanisms.
Differential physiological response of marine and freshwater microalgae to polystyrene microplastics
Researchers compared how polystyrene microplastics affect marine versus freshwater algae species and found that freshwater algae were more severely harmed. While both types showed reduced photosynthesis and increased stress responses, marine algae recovered better over time, possibly due to differences in their cell membranes and ability to handle oxidative damage. Since algae form the base of aquatic food chains, greater damage to freshwater species could have cascading effects on the ecosystems that supply human drinking water and freshwater fish.
The effect of microplastics pollution in microalgal biomass production: A biochemical study
Scientists exposed the marine microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum to polystyrene microplastics and found that both short- and long-term exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations disrupted biochemical composition including proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
Differential effect of nano vs. micro-sized plastics on live Chlorella sp. algae in water environment
Researchers exposed live Chlorella sp. algae to polystyrene particles ranging from 20 nm to 2000 nm and used confocal microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging to characterize interactions. Nanoplastics of 20–500 nm formed corona-like structures around algae cells and reduced chlorophyll fluorescence intensity and lifetime, indicating impaired photosynthesis, while larger 1000–2000 nm particles had minimal effects.
Different effecting mechanisms of two sized polystyrene microplastics on microalgal oxidative stress and photosynthetic responses
Researchers found that 1 micrometer polystyrene microplastics caused more oxidative stress and cell death in marine diatoms, while 0.1 micrometer particles caused greater light shading and pigment decline, revealing distinct size-dependent toxicity mechanisms.
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.