Green under siege: how the polyhexamethylene guanidine disinfectant attacks microalgae in aquatic ecosystems
In aquatic ecosystems, microalgae experience the adverse effects of the widely used disinfectant component, polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG). Our research focused on the model alga, Chlorella vulgaris, examining how PHMG exposure influences its growth, photosynthesis, metabolic byproducts, and ant...
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| Format: | Article |
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PeerJ Inc.
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/19553.pdf |
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| author | Kai Zhang Ziqin Wei Yixuan Wang Weikai Shui Bingchan Jia Zhuo Huang Qian Feng |
| author_facet | Kai Zhang Ziqin Wei Yixuan Wang Weikai Shui Bingchan Jia Zhuo Huang Qian Feng |
| author_sort | Kai Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In aquatic ecosystems, microalgae experience the adverse effects of the widely used disinfectant component, polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG). Our research focused on the model alga, Chlorella vulgaris, examining how PHMG exposure influences its growth, photosynthesis, metabolic byproducts, and antioxidant defenses. We observed a range of effects from slight disturbances at low PHMG concentrations to significant growth inhibition at higher levels, suggesting a hormesis-like response. Specifically, PHMG exposure led to reduced chlorophyll content, impaired Photosystem II efficiency, and decreased photosynthetic activity. Interestingly, the algae responded to stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and stress biomarkers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that PHMG primarily disrupts the photosynthetic apparatus, which in turn affects metabolic and antioxidant responses, culminating in reduced algal biomass. Our results contribute to the understanding of the threats posed to aquatic life by the ubiquitous and ever-increasing pollution from chemical disinfectants, and highlight the urgency of mitigation measures. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3b89323d7dab4139835cb7ed522ea603 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj-art-3b89323d7dab4139835cb7ed522ea6032025-08-20T02:39:41ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592025-06-0113e1955310.7717/peerj.19553Green under siege: how the polyhexamethylene guanidine disinfectant attacks microalgae in aquatic ecosystemsKai Zhang0Ziqin Wei1Yixuan Wang2Weikai Shui3Bingchan Jia4Zhuo Huang5Qian Feng6Nanjing Jiangning District Water Affairs Bureau, Nanjing, ChinaNanjing No. 1 Middle School, Nanjing, ChinaHigh School Affiliated to Nanjing Normal University Jiangning Campus, Nanjing, ChinaCollege of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, ChinaCollege of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, ChinaCenter for Science and Technology Achievement Promotion, Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute, Wuhan, ChinaCollege of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, ChinaIn aquatic ecosystems, microalgae experience the adverse effects of the widely used disinfectant component, polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG). Our research focused on the model alga, Chlorella vulgaris, examining how PHMG exposure influences its growth, photosynthesis, metabolic byproducts, and antioxidant defenses. We observed a range of effects from slight disturbances at low PHMG concentrations to significant growth inhibition at higher levels, suggesting a hormesis-like response. Specifically, PHMG exposure led to reduced chlorophyll content, impaired Photosystem II efficiency, and decreased photosynthetic activity. Interestingly, the algae responded to stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and stress biomarkers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that PHMG primarily disrupts the photosynthetic apparatus, which in turn affects metabolic and antioxidant responses, culminating in reduced algal biomass. Our results contribute to the understanding of the threats posed to aquatic life by the ubiquitous and ever-increasing pollution from chemical disinfectants, and highlight the urgency of mitigation measures.https://peerj.com/articles/19553.pdfPolyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG)MicroalgaePhotosynthesisAntioxidative stressStructural equation model (SEM) |
| spellingShingle | Kai Zhang Ziqin Wei Yixuan Wang Weikai Shui Bingchan Jia Zhuo Huang Qian Feng Green under siege: how the polyhexamethylene guanidine disinfectant attacks microalgae in aquatic ecosystems PeerJ Polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) Microalgae Photosynthesis Antioxidative stress Structural equation model (SEM) |
| title | Green under siege: how the polyhexamethylene guanidine disinfectant attacks microalgae in aquatic ecosystems |
| title_full | Green under siege: how the polyhexamethylene guanidine disinfectant attacks microalgae in aquatic ecosystems |
| title_fullStr | Green under siege: how the polyhexamethylene guanidine disinfectant attacks microalgae in aquatic ecosystems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Green under siege: how the polyhexamethylene guanidine disinfectant attacks microalgae in aquatic ecosystems |
| title_short | Green under siege: how the polyhexamethylene guanidine disinfectant attacks microalgae in aquatic ecosystems |
| title_sort | green under siege how the polyhexamethylene guanidine disinfectant attacks microalgae in aquatic ecosystems |
| topic | Polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) Microalgae Photosynthesis Antioxidative stress Structural equation model (SEM) |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/19553.pdf |
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