Microplastic-enhanced chromium toxicity in Scenedesmus obliquus: Synergistic effects on algal growth and biochemical responses
This study explores the combined toxicity of microplastics (MPs) and chromium (Cr6 +) on the freshwater green algae Scenedesmus obliquus. As emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, MPs have been shown to intensify the toxicity of Cr6+, leading to a more significant impact on algal growth and bi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325001496 |
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| author | Luoxin Li Jiani Yu Yonghua Ma Hui Tan Fengxia Tan Yi Chai Hui Zhang |
| author_facet | Luoxin Li Jiani Yu Yonghua Ma Hui Tan Fengxia Tan Yi Chai Hui Zhang |
| author_sort | Luoxin Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores the combined toxicity of microplastics (MPs) and chromium (Cr6 +) on the freshwater green algae Scenedesmus obliquus. As emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, MPs have been shown to intensify the toxicity of Cr6+, leading to a more significant impact on algal growth and biochemical responses than either stressor alone. A 30-day experimental simulation revealed that co-exposure to Cr6+ and 5 µm diameter polystyrene MPs resulted in significantly enhanced toxicity compared to individual exposures, characterized by a notable decrease in algal growth, diminished photosynthetic pigments, and protein content, alongside oxidative system damage. 100 nm MPs exhibited a distinct toxicity profile, with more pronounced effects when not combined with Cr6+, suggesting size-dependent interactions with algal cells. Transcriptomic analysis illuminated the complex regulatory mechanisms, indicating that toxicity primarily modulates metabolic pathways essential for photosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, the TCA cycle, and ribosome function in Scenedesmus obliquus. This study not only delineates the distinct toxicity effects of single and combined exposure systems but also emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of the role of MPs in environmental pollution and their potential to modulate the toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7460dc6e4ced4a4b82046fb03e9670b5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0147-6513 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
| spelling | doaj-art-7460dc6e4ced4a4b82046fb03e9670b52025-02-05T04:31:02ZengElsevierEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety0147-65132025-02-01291117813Microplastic-enhanced chromium toxicity in Scenedesmus obliquus: Synergistic effects on algal growth and biochemical responsesLuoxin Li0Jiani Yu1Yonghua Ma2Hui Tan3Fengxia Tan4Yi Chai5Hui Zhang6Key Lab of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS, Wuhan 4302232, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China; Corresponding authors.Key Lab of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS, Wuhan 4302232, China; Corresponding authors.This study explores the combined toxicity of microplastics (MPs) and chromium (Cr6 +) on the freshwater green algae Scenedesmus obliquus. As emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, MPs have been shown to intensify the toxicity of Cr6+, leading to a more significant impact on algal growth and biochemical responses than either stressor alone. A 30-day experimental simulation revealed that co-exposure to Cr6+ and 5 µm diameter polystyrene MPs resulted in significantly enhanced toxicity compared to individual exposures, characterized by a notable decrease in algal growth, diminished photosynthetic pigments, and protein content, alongside oxidative system damage. 100 nm MPs exhibited a distinct toxicity profile, with more pronounced effects when not combined with Cr6+, suggesting size-dependent interactions with algal cells. Transcriptomic analysis illuminated the complex regulatory mechanisms, indicating that toxicity primarily modulates metabolic pathways essential for photosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, the TCA cycle, and ribosome function in Scenedesmus obliquus. This study not only delineates the distinct toxicity effects of single and combined exposure systems but also emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of the role of MPs in environmental pollution and their potential to modulate the toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325001496MicroplasticsChromiumCombined exposureScenedesmus obliquusTranscriptomic analysis |
| spellingShingle | Luoxin Li Jiani Yu Yonghua Ma Hui Tan Fengxia Tan Yi Chai Hui Zhang Microplastic-enhanced chromium toxicity in Scenedesmus obliquus: Synergistic effects on algal growth and biochemical responses Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Microplastics Chromium Combined exposure Scenedesmus obliquus Transcriptomic analysis |
| title | Microplastic-enhanced chromium toxicity in Scenedesmus obliquus: Synergistic effects on algal growth and biochemical responses |
| title_full | Microplastic-enhanced chromium toxicity in Scenedesmus obliquus: Synergistic effects on algal growth and biochemical responses |
| title_fullStr | Microplastic-enhanced chromium toxicity in Scenedesmus obliquus: Synergistic effects on algal growth and biochemical responses |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microplastic-enhanced chromium toxicity in Scenedesmus obliquus: Synergistic effects on algal growth and biochemical responses |
| title_short | Microplastic-enhanced chromium toxicity in Scenedesmus obliquus: Synergistic effects on algal growth and biochemical responses |
| title_sort | microplastic enhanced chromium toxicity in scenedesmus obliquus synergistic effects on algal growth and biochemical responses |
| topic | Microplastics Chromium Combined exposure Scenedesmus obliquus Transcriptomic analysis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325001496 |
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