Concentration dependent toxicity of microplastics to marine microalgae

The widespread distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the environment poses a potential threat to ecosystems. Microalgae are key primary producers in marine ecosystems, and the algae is more sensitive to changes in the ecological environment. Therefore, assessing the toxicity of MPs pollution to mic...

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Main Authors: Tan Hongmei, Liu Zhoumiao, Liu Yuting, Wu Mengzhen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EDP Sciences 2025-01-01
Series:E3S Web of Conferences
Online Access:https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/28/e3sconf_eppct2025_01009.pdf
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author Tan Hongmei
Liu Zhoumiao
Liu Yuting
Wu Mengzhen
author_facet Tan Hongmei
Liu Zhoumiao
Liu Yuting
Wu Mengzhen
author_sort Tan Hongmei
collection DOAJ
description The widespread distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the environment poses a potential threat to ecosystems. Microalgae are key primary producers in marine ecosystems, and the algae is more sensitive to changes in the ecological environment. Therefore, assessing the toxicity of MPs pollution to microalgae is critically important. In this study, polystyrene (PS) MPs (1 μm) was selected to carry out exposure experiments on Chlorella sp. with the treatment concentrations of 10 and 50 mg/L. At each time period of the PS MPs treatment group, the 50 mg/L exposure level inhibited the growth of Chlorella sp., which was higher than that of 10 mg/L. Experimental data demonstrated the toxicity of PS MPs on Chlorella sp. was concentration-dependent. The maximum growth inhibition rate of PS MPs on Chlorella sp. reached 14% (10 mg/L) and 34.3% (50 mg/L). This research is of great significance for assessing the ecotoxicity of MPs in aquatic ecosystems.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2267-1242
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher EDP Sciences
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series E3S Web of Conferences
spelling doaj-art-2b2df4e1ca9640b99d27ee07fce60f842025-08-20T03:54:07ZengEDP SciencesE3S Web of Conferences2267-12422025-01-016280100910.1051/e3sconf/202562801009e3sconf_eppct2025_01009Concentration dependent toxicity of microplastics to marine microalgaeTan Hongmei0Liu Zhoumiao1Liu Yuting2Wu Mengzhen3Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ocean University of ChinaKey Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ocean University of ChinaKey Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ocean University of ChinaKey Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ocean University of ChinaThe widespread distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the environment poses a potential threat to ecosystems. Microalgae are key primary producers in marine ecosystems, and the algae is more sensitive to changes in the ecological environment. Therefore, assessing the toxicity of MPs pollution to microalgae is critically important. In this study, polystyrene (PS) MPs (1 μm) was selected to carry out exposure experiments on Chlorella sp. with the treatment concentrations of 10 and 50 mg/L. At each time period of the PS MPs treatment group, the 50 mg/L exposure level inhibited the growth of Chlorella sp., which was higher than that of 10 mg/L. Experimental data demonstrated the toxicity of PS MPs on Chlorella sp. was concentration-dependent. The maximum growth inhibition rate of PS MPs on Chlorella sp. reached 14% (10 mg/L) and 34.3% (50 mg/L). This research is of great significance for assessing the ecotoxicity of MPs in aquatic ecosystems.https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/28/e3sconf_eppct2025_01009.pdf
spellingShingle Tan Hongmei
Liu Zhoumiao
Liu Yuting
Wu Mengzhen
Concentration dependent toxicity of microplastics to marine microalgae
E3S Web of Conferences
title Concentration dependent toxicity of microplastics to marine microalgae
title_full Concentration dependent toxicity of microplastics to marine microalgae
title_fullStr Concentration dependent toxicity of microplastics to marine microalgae
title_full_unstemmed Concentration dependent toxicity of microplastics to marine microalgae
title_short Concentration dependent toxicity of microplastics to marine microalgae
title_sort concentration dependent toxicity of microplastics to marine microalgae
url https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/28/e3sconf_eppct2025_01009.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT tanhongmei concentrationdependenttoxicityofmicroplasticstomarinemicroalgae
AT liuzhoumiao concentrationdependenttoxicityofmicroplasticstomarinemicroalgae
AT liuyuting concentrationdependenttoxicityofmicroplasticstomarinemicroalgae
AT wumengzhen concentrationdependenttoxicityofmicroplasticstomarinemicroalgae