Membrane fingerprints and morphotype shifts in Phaeodactylum tricornutum co-exposed to cadmium and PBAT macroplastics as ecotoxicological indicators

Puntos clave

• Morphotype shifts occur in Phaeodactylum tricornutum due to exposure to cadmium and PBAT macroplastics, indicating significant ecological effects.
• Cadmium exposure is linked to alterations in membrane fingerprints, with distinct changes observed under dual stress conditions.
• Observational analysis across various conditions outlines that combined exposure impacts algal response and health.
• Understanding these effects may enable better environmental monitoring strategies to assess ecological risks from pollutants.