Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
Published on: July 28, 2018
Species diversity and community structure of microalgae living on microplastics in Luoyuan Bay, China
Kang Wang1, Hui Lin2, Sumin Wang2
1Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
Abstract:
This study was carried out in Luoyuan Bay in March 2021. The species composition of microalgae community colonizing on microplastics called epimicroplastic microalgae (EMP-MA) was analyzed and compared with planktonic microalgae (PM) community. The species number of EMP-MA community (73) was higher than that of PM community (56). However Simpson Index and Pielou Evenness Index of EMP-MA community were significantly lower than that of PM community (P < 0.05). Although diatom was the most diverse and abundant taxa in both EMP-MA and PM community, their species compositions were significantly different (P < 0.05). Dominant species were also different between the two communities. Moreover, 12 harmful algal species were found in EMP-MA community, which may drift with microplastics and increase the risks of harmful algal blooms (HABs). This study is helpful to reveal the dispersal mechanism of HABs and potential impacts of EMP-MA on marine ecosystem.
Related Concept Videos
Other Algae
Green Algae
Red Algae
Overview of Algae

