Humic acid can mitigate or magnify nanoplastic toxicity to freshwater microalgae: what are the factors driving these contrasting effects?

Environmental Science Nano 2026

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Authors: Gopi Narayanan, Xiangyi Guo, Mohmmed Talib, Yiyin Li, Jonathan Y.S. Leung, Gopala Krishna Darbha
DOI: 10.1039/d5en00927h
Cited by: 2
References: 73

Abstract

Humic acid can mitigate the toxicity of nanoplastics to microalgae by weakening their interactions through lowered surface hydrophobicity and enhanced dispersion stability, but this protective effect is reduced at low humic acid concentrations.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Microplastics and Plastic Pollution Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications

Publication details

Journal / source
Environmental Science Nano
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Volume
13
Issue
3
Pages
1372–1390
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN