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 Do plastic particles affect microalgal photosynthesis and growth?
ClearConcentration 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.
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.
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.
Current understanding and challenges for aquatic primary producers in a world with rising micro- and nano-plastic levels
Researchers conducted a quantitative analysis of published studies on how micro- and nanoplastics affect aquatic primary producers like microalgae. They found that microplastics generally inhibited algal growth, but typically only at concentrations much higher than those currently found in the environment, with positively charged particles being the most toxic. The study highlights that the effects on photosynthesis and metabolism vary greatly depending on particle properties and algal species.
Integrated multilevel investigation of photosynthesis revealed the algal response distinction to differentially charged nanoplastics
This study investigated how nanoplastics with different electrical charges affect algae, which form the base of aquatic food chains. Positively charged nanoplastics caused the most severe damage, disrupting photosynthesis and damaging cell structures, while neutral and negatively charged particles had milder or even stimulating effects at low levels. Since algae health directly affects the entire aquatic food web, this research helps explain how nanoplastic pollution could ripple through ecosystems and ultimately impact seafood safety.
Concentration dependent toxicity of microplastics to marine microalgae
A dose-response study of microplastic effects on marine microalgae found concentration-dependent toxicity across multiple species, with higher MP concentrations reducing growth rates, photosynthesis efficiency, and chlorophyll content, confirming that microplastics pose risks to the base of marine food webs.
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.
Role of heteroaggregation and internalization in the toxicity of differently sized and charged plastic nanoparticles to freshwater microalgae
Researchers investigated how the size and surface charge of polystyrene nanoparticles affect their toxicity to freshwater microalgae. The study found that smaller and positively charged nanoparticles showed greater heteroaggregation with algal cells and higher internalization rates, leading to more pronounced toxic effects including reduced photosynthetic activity.
Interplay of plastic pollution with algae and plants: hidden danger or a blessing?
Researchers tested the ability of three microalgae species to remove microplastics from water through bioadhesion, finding that all three species could adsorb particles onto their surfaces. Removal efficiency depended on particle size, surface charge, and algae cell morphology.
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.
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.
Toxic effects of microplastic on marine microalgae Skeletonema costatum: Interactions between microplastic and algae
Researchers found that micrometer-sized PVC microplastics significantly inhibit the growth and photosynthesis of the marine microalga Skeletonema costatum — reaching up to 39.7% growth inhibition — primarily through direct physical adsorption and aggregation between particles and algal cells rather than by shading effects alone.
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.
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.
Effects of microplastics on freshwater and marine microalgae
This book chapter reviews the effects of microplastics on freshwater and marine microalgae, covering how different plastic types and sizes affect algal growth, photosynthesis, and reproduction. Microalgae form the base of aquatic food webs, so plastic-induced disruption to algal communities could have cascading effects throughout ecosystems.
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.
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.
Microplastics and Heavy Metals Removal from Fresh Water and Wastewater Systems Using a Membrane
Researchers tested how polystyrene microplastics affect the growth, photosynthesis, and oxidative stress responses of freshwater microalgae Chlorella vulgaris. Smaller particles caused greater inhibition of growth and chlorophyll synthesis than larger ones.
Differential effect of nano vs. micro-sized plastics on live Chlorella sp. algae in water environment.
Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastic and nanoplastic particles of different sizes (20 nm to 2000 nm) interact with Chlorella sp. algae using confocal microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging, finding that smaller particles (20-500 nm) formed corona-like structures around algae and disrupted chlorophyll photosynthesis, while larger particles (1000-2000 nm) acted as nucleation sites for algal clustering without affecting chlorophyll fluorescence.
Impacts of Microplastics on Photosynthetic Efficiency and Pigment Composition in Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Researchers evaluated how polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics at different concentrations affect photosynthesis and pigment composition in the microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa over four days. They found that microplastic exposure impaired photosynthetic efficiency and altered chlorophyll and carotenoid levels. The study highlights the potential for microplastic pollution to disrupt primary producers at the base of aquatic food webs.
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.
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.
Toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on microalgae Chlorella vulgaris: Changes in biomass, photosynthetic pigments and morphology
This study tested how polystyrene nanoplastics of three different sizes affect green algae and found a clear pattern: smaller particles were more toxic than larger ones. The smallest nanoplastics (90 nm) caused the greatest reductions in algal growth and photosynthetic pigments, along with visible changes in cell shape and increased clumping. The findings suggest that as plastics break down into ever-smaller particles in the environment, their potential for biological harm may increase.
Quantitative structure-activity relationships for green algae growth inhibition by polymer particles
Researchers built mathematical models to predict how toxic different polymer particles are to green algae, finding that the electric charge and structural properties of a polymer determine how much it inhibits algal growth. The models revealed that positively charged polymers harm algae by disrupting their cell walls, while negatively charged ones act mainly by depleting nutrients — a distinction important for assessing the environmental risks of microplastics and polymer-based products.