Impacts of microplastic-petroleum pollution on nutrient uptake, growth, and antioxidative activity of Chlorella vulgaris

As one of the emerging pollutants, microplastics (MPs; <5 mm) can interact with co-contaminants such as pe-troleum in marine aquatic systems, and their combined toxicity has not been fully investigated. Therefore, this study focused on pollutants such as micro-sized polyethylene (mPE) and petroleum, aiming to explore their single and combined toxicities to microalga Chlorella vulgaris in terms of the cell growth, antioxidative enzymes, and nutrients utilization. The results showed that the MPs alone (particle sizes (i.e., 13, 165, 550 mu m), con-centrations (i.e., 0.01, 0.1, and 1 g/L), and aging degrees (i.e., aged for 0 d and 90 d under UVA)), and petroleum alone (5% water accommodated fraction, WAF), and their combinations (i.e., 5% WAF + 165 mu m-0.1 g/L-aged 0 d mPE, 5% WAF + 165 mu m-0.1 g/L-aged 90 d mPE) all posed toxicities risk to C. vulgaris, following an increase in oxidative stress. The cellular utilization of elements such as Fe, Si, Ca, and Mg was inhibited, whereas the uptake of Mn, NO3--N, and PO43- -P increased as compared to the control experiments. Furthermore, the rela-tionship between nutrients and growth indicators was analyzed using a structural equation model. The results indicated that Fe and Mn directly affected the indirect NO3- -N absorption by C. vulgaris, which indirectly affected the dry cell weight (DCW) of the microalgae. The path coefficient of Fe and Mn affecting nitrate was 0.399 and 0.388, respectively. The absorption of N was the key step for C. vulgaris resist stress. This study provides a novel analysis of the effects of MPs on the growth of microalgae from the perspective of nutrient elements, thereby providing a useful basis for further exploration of the associated mechanisms.

Automated summary

This study investigated the single and combined toxicity of microplastics and petroleum on the growth and nutrient utilization of microalgae. The results showed that both microplastics and petroleum posed toxic risks to the microalgae and increased oxidative stress. In addition to affecting the cellular utilization of elements, Fe and Mn directly influenced the absorption of NO3--N by the microalgae, indirectly affecting their dry cell weight. This study provides a novel analysis of the effects of microplastics on the growth of microalgae from the perspective of nutrient elements.