Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on Growth and Toxin Production of Alexandrium pacificum.

ABSTRACT: Microplastics (MP) widely distributed in aquatic environments have adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Currently, the impact of MP on toxigenic red tide microalgae is poorly understood. In this study, the strain of Alexandrium pacificum ATHK, typically producing paralytic shellfish toxins (PST), was selected as the target. Effects of 1 and 0.1 μm polystyrene MP with three concentration gradients (5 mg L-1, 25 mg L-1 and 100 mg L-1) on the growth, chlorophyll a (Chl a), photosynthetic activity (Fv/Fm) and PST production of ATHK were explored. Results showed that the high concentration (100 mg L-1) of 1 μm and 0.1 μm MP significantly inhibited the growth of ATHK, and the inhibition depended on the size and concentration of MP. Contents of Chl a showed an increase with various degrees after

SUBMITTER: Liu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8074784 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature