Microplastics, as a new pollutant widely present in global aquatic environments, have drawn significant attention for their potential ecological risks. Simultaneously, algae serve as vital primary producers in aquatic ecosystems and readily undergo heterogeneous aggregation with microplastics. This interaction alters the environmental behavior of microplastics, ultimately influencing their ecological effects. This paper provides a systematic review of the research progress on the heteroaggregation between microplastics and algae, focusing on experimental methods, formation mechanisms, migration behaviors, and key influencing factors. Existing studies mainly employ microscopic characterization techniques and theoretical modeling to elucidate the structural features and formation processes of aggregates. The heteroaggregation between microplastics and algae is a dynamic process jointly driven by physical adsorption, chemical bonding, and biological secretion. The formation of aggregates changes the density, surface properties, and occurrence state of microplastics, consequently influencing their vertical sedimentation and horizontal transport in water bodies. The aggregation and migration behaviors of microplastics and algae is primarily influenced by microplastic characteristics, algal properties, and environmental factors. Future research should strengthen the coupled modeling of biological, physical, and chemical processes and develop in−situ, multi−scale observation techniques to deepen the understanding of microplastic–algae interaction mechanisms, thereby providing a scientific basis for risk assessment and ecological management of microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |