Impacts of polyethylene microplastics on the microalga, Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis).

Microalgae play a critical role in the food web and biogeochemical cycling and produce compounds that are commercially exploited. However, their reactions and responses to microplastic contamination are not well understood. In this study, the widely distributed and commercially important cyanobacterium, Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), was exposed to different concentrations (1-100 mg L) of low-density polyethylene microplastics (<5 μm) over a 20-d period.