Microplastic-Enhanced Cadmium Toxicity: A Growing Threat to the Sea Grape, Caulerpa lentillifera.

ABSTRACT: The escalating impact of human activities has led to the accumulation of microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals in marine environments, posing serious threats to marine ecosystems. As essential components of oceanic ecosystems, large seaweeds such as Caulerpa lentillifera play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. This study investigated the effects of MPs and cadmium (Cd) on the growth, physiology, biochemistry, and Cd accumulation in C. lentillifera while elucidating the underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms. The results demonstrated that exposure to MPs alone significantly promoted the growth. In contrast, exposure to Cd either alone or in combination with MPs significantly suppressed growth by reducing stem and stolon length, bud count, weight gain, and spe

SUBMITTER: Zhou W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11505291 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature