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Updated: Jul 20, 2025
Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
Published on: July 28, 2018
Heterogeneous aggregation between microplastics and microalgae: May provide new insights for microplastics removal
Yuanyuan Su1, Liu Gao2, Licheng Peng2
1Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
Microplastics (MPs) aggregate with microalgae, influenced by MP shape and size, not concentration. This aggregation inhibits microalgal growth, offering insights into MP pollution control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) serve as substrates for planktonic microorganisms.
- Limited understanding of microplastic-microalgal aggregation dynamics and influencing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the heterogeneous aggregation process between microalgae and microplastics.
- To identify factors influencing microplastic-microalgal aggregation, including MP characteristics and microalgal species.
Main Methods:
- Examined aggregation between five microalgal species and two microplastic types (mPS, mPLA).
- Varied microplastic size (74 µm, 613 µm), concentration (0.1-2 g/L), and shape (particle, sheet).
- Quantified aggregation degree, speed, and impact on microalgal growth.
Main Results:
- Microalgae initially attach to microplastic surface features, forming multi-layer aggregates.
- Aggregation is strongly influenced by microplastic shape (sheet > particle) and size (small > large), less by concentration.
- Microplastic aggregation inhibited microalgal growth by impeding gas and mass transfer.
Conclusions:
- Microplastic-microalgal aggregation dynamics are complex, dependent on microplastic properties and microalgal species.
- Aggregation increases microplastic density and negatively impacts microalgal viability.
- Findings suggest potential for using microplastic-microalgal aggregation in environmental remediation strategies.
