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Dose-dependent effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on growth, photosynthesis, and astaxanthin synthesis in Haematococcus pluvialis.
- Source :
-
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) [Environ Pollut] 2024 Oct 15; Vol. 359, pp. 124574. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jul 18. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Microalgae play an important role in aquatic ecosystems, but the widespread presence of micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) poses significant threats to them. Haematococcus pluvialis is well-known for its ability to produce the antioxidant astaxanthin when it experiences stress from environmental conditions. Here we examined the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) at concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/L on H. pluvialis over an 18-day period. Our results show that PS-NPs caused a significant, dose-dependent inhibition of H. pluvialis growth and a reduction in photosynthesis. Furthermore, PS-NPs severely damaged the morphology of H. pluvialis, leading to cell shrinkage, collapse, content release, and aggregation. Additionally, PS-NPs induced a dose-dependent increase in soluble protein content and a decrease in the production of extracellular polymeric substances. These findings indicate that PS-NPs has the potential to adversely affect both the physiology and morphology of H. pluvialis. An increase in reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzyme activities was also observed, suggesting an oxidative stress response to PS-NPs exposure. Notably, the synthesis of astaxanthin, which is crucial for H. pluvialis's survival under stress, was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner under strong light conditions, along with the down-regulation of genes involved in the astaxanthin biosynthesis pathway. This suggests that PS-NPs exposure reduces H. pluvialis's ability to survive under adverse conditions. This study enhances our understanding of the toxic effects of PS-NPs on microalgae and underscores the urgent need for measures to mitigate MNP pollution to protect aquatic ecosystems.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br /> (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Chlorophyceae drug effects
Chlorophyceae metabolism
Oxidative Stress drug effects
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Reactive Oxygen Species metabolism
Chlorophyta drug effects
Chlorophyta growth & development
Chlorophyta metabolism
Microplastics toxicity
Nanoparticles toxicity
Antioxidants metabolism
Xanthophylls metabolism
Photosynthesis drug effects
Polystyrenes toxicity
Microalgae drug effects
Microalgae metabolism
Microalgae growth & development
Water Pollutants, Chemical toxicity
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1873-6424
- Volume :
- 359
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 39029865
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124574