The Effects of Microplastics on Growth and Photosynthetic Activity of Chlorella pyrenoidosa: The Role of Types and Sizes

The effects of different types and sizes of microplastics on microalgae have not been systematically studied. Here, the microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa was exposed to three particle sizes (1 ~ 10, 10 ~ 100, and 100 ~ 500 μm) of polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for 14 days. Cell density...

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Published inWater, air, and soil pollution Vol. 234; no. 10; p. 628
Main Authors Zhao, Shasha, Qian, Jin, Wang, Peifang, Tang, Sijing, Lu, Bianhe, He, Yuxuan, Xu, Kailin
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cham Springer International Publishing 01.10.2023
Springer
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects
Aggregation
Algae
Aquatic microorganisms
Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution
Cell density
Chlorella
Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll a
Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts
Earth and Environmental Science
Energy utilization
Environment
Environmental monitoring
Fresh water
Freshwater
Growth
Hydrogeology
Image processing
Inland water environment
Long-term effects
Microplastics
Particle size
Photosynthesis
Phytoplankton
Plastic pollution
Political aspects
Polystyrene
Polystyrene resins
Polyvinyl chloride
Secretion
Soil Science & Conservation
Water Quality/Water Pollution
Types
Sizes
Microplastics
Growth
Photosynthetic Activity
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Summary:The effects of different types and sizes of microplastics on microalgae have not been systematically studied. Here, the microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa was exposed to three particle sizes (1 ~ 10, 10 ~ 100, and 100 ~ 500 μm) of polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for 14 days. Cell density indicated a general inhibitory effect of microplastics (MPs) on the growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa . The maximum inhibition was found to be 42.7% in 1 ~ 10 μm (PS), and the growth inhibition was negatively correlated with particle size. The inhibitory effects of PS are stronger than those of PVC. Moreover, PS and PVC depressed chlorophyll a content but stimulated light energy utilization efficiency (F v /F m , Ik, ETR max , α) in all particle size ranges. FTIR analysis and SEM image displayed that Chlorella pyrenoidosa resisted the effects of MPs by aggregation, which may be related to the secretion of EPS. These results revealed the long-term effects of different types and sizes of MPs on freshwater microalgae and provided a reference for exploring the ecotoxicity of MPs. Graphical Abstract
ISSN:0049-6979
1573-2932
DOI:10.1007/s11270-023-06642-9