chlorophyll-a and perfluorooctanoic-acid

A variety of processes, both natural and anthropogenic, can have a negative impact on surface waters, which in turn can be detrimental to human and environmental health. Few studies have considered the ecotoxicological impacts of concurrently occurring contaminants, and that is particularly true for mixtures that include contaminants of emerging concern (CEC). Motivated by this knowledge gap, the present study considers the potential ecotoxicity of environmentally relevant contaminants in the representative aquatic plant Lemna minor (common duckweed), a model organism. More specifically, biological effects associated with exposure of L. minor to a ubiquitous radionuclide (uranium [U]) and a fluorinated organic compound (perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA], considered a CEC), alone and in combination, were monitored under controlled laboratory conditions. Lemna minor was grown for 5 days in small, aerated containers. Each treatment consisted of four replicates with seven plants each. Treatments were 0, 0.3, and 3 ppb PFOA; 0, 0.5, and 5 ppb U; and combinations of these. Plants were observed daily for frond number and signs of chlorosis and necrosis. Other biological endpoints examined at the conclusion of the experiment were chlorophyll content and antioxidant capacity. In single-exposure experiments, a slight stimulatory effect was observed on frond number at 0.3 ppb PFOA, whereas both concentrations of U had a detrimental effect on frond number. In the dual-exposure experiment, the combinations with 5 ppb U also had a detrimental effect on frond number. Results for chlorophyll content and antioxidant capacity were less meaningful, suggesting that environmentally relevant concentrations of PFOA and U have only subtle effects on L. minor growth and health status. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2412-2421. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Topics: Antioxidants; Araceae; Chlorophyll; Humans; Plants; Uranium

A vegetation study was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and Cadmium (Cd) on soil enzyme activities, phytotoxicity and bioaccumulation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) from co-contaminated soil. Soil urease activities were inhibited significantly but catalase activities were promoted significantly by interaction of PFASs and Cd which had few effects on sucrase activities. Joint stress with PFASs and Cd decreased the biomass of plants and chlorophyll (Chl) content in both wheat and rapeseed, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were increased in wheat but inhibited in rapeseed compared with single treatments. The bioconcentration abilities of PFASs in wheat and rapeseed were decreased, and the translocation factor of PFASs was decreased in wheat but increased in rapeseed with Cd addition. The bioaccumulation and translocation abilities of Cd were increased significantly in both wheat and rapeseed with PFASs addition. These findings suggested important evidence that the co-existence of PFASs and Cd reduced the bioavailability of PFASs while enhanced the bioavailability of Cd in soil, which increased the associated environmental risk for Cd but decreased for PFASs.

Topics: Alkanesulfonic Acids; Biomass; Brassica rapa; Cadmium; Caprylates; Chlorophyll; Drug Interactions; Environmental Pollution; Fluorocarbons; Malondialdehyde; Soil; Soil Pollutants; Superoxide Dismutase; Triticum

The risk assessment in terrestrial environments has been scarcely studied for mixtures of organic contaminants. To estimate toxicity due to these compounds, an ecotoxicological test may be done with the appropriate organism and biomarker. Photosynthesis is principally performed at photosystem II, and its efficiency is affected by any environmental stress. Consequently, the measure of this efficiency may be a good indicator of toxicity if different parameters are employed, e.g., the quantum efficiency of photosystem II and the photochemical quenching coefficient. We did a series of assays to determine the toxicity of two organic contaminants, ibuprofen and perfluorooctanoic acid, using a higher plant (Sorghum bicolor). The results showed more toxicity for the perfluorinated compound and greater sensibility for the quantum efficiency of photosystem II. Regarding the binary combination, three methods were applied to calculate EC50: combination index, concentration addition, and independent action. Synergistic behavior is the principal toxicological profile for this mix. Therefore, the combination index, which considers interactions among chemicals, gave the best estimation to determine risk indices. We conclude that the inhibition of photosynthesis efficiency can be a useful tool to determine the toxicity of the mixtures of organic pollutants and to estimate ecological risks in terrestrial environments.

Topics: Caprylates; Chlorophyll; Chlorophyll A; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Environmental Monitoring; Fluorescence; Fluorocarbons; Ibuprofen; Photosynthesis; Photosystem II Protein Complex; Risk Assessment; Soil Pollutants; Sorghum

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a kind of persistent organic pollutants and its aquatic eco-toxicity has attracted wide attention; however, the mechanism involved in its toxicity as well as the cell response against PFOA have not been well established. Herein, using single-celled green algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Selenastrum capricornutum at the logarithmic growth stage as test organisms, we studied the toxic effects of PFOA on the cell permeability, The 96 h-EC(50) values of PFOA for C. pyrenoidosa and S. capricornutum were 207.46 mg L(-1) and 190.99 mg L(-1), respectively, lower than the 96 h-EC(50) values reported in the literatures. After 96 h of PFOA exposure, the permeability of the cell membranes of both algae was significantly decreased, and the chlorophyll concentration mirrored the trends of algal growth. In both algal species, after a 192-h exposure to a low concentration of PFOA, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were greater than those of the control. At higher concentrations of PFOA, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were strongly inhibited. These results indicate that long-term exposure to low levels of PFOA may induce excessive generation of reactive oxygen species in algal cells, causing oxidative damage to cells.

Topics: Caprylates; Catalase; Chlorella; Chlorophyll; Chlorophyta; Enzyme Activation; Fluorocarbons; Fresh Water; Reactive Oxygen Species; Superoxide Dismutase; Water Pollutants, Chemical