Untangling the Effects of Microplastics on Microalgae Growth for Sustainable Bioremediation

ABSTRACT

The increasing rate of water contamination caused by the presence of microplastics (MPs) has highlighted the importance of finding solutions to mitigate this problem. To investigate this problem, the freshwater microalgal species Chroococcidiopsis cubana was treated with polystyrene (PS) MPs at three distinct concentrations over time, and cell density, growth inhibition, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), chlorophyll production, and settlement rate were measured. According to the results, the cell density of microalgae declined as PS microplastics concentrations increased, and the maximum inhibition rate (IR) was 31.7% under PS microplastics concentrations of 120,000 number/mL. Our research will enhance the understanding of the impacts of MPs on freshwater microalgae and assist in evaluating their potential role in the removal of MPs from aquatic ecosystems.