The effect of long-term exposure to diatrizoate on microbial communities in activated sludge

Abstract Contrast agents are very persistent compounds that are detected in increasing concentrations in sewage and water. This study aimed to determine whether the presence of iodinated contrast agent – diatrizoate impacts microorganisms in activated sludge. During the 100-day experiment, an attemp...

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Main Authors: Agnieszka Nowak, Magdalena Pacwa-Płociniczak, Ariel Marchlewicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02321-3
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author Agnieszka Nowak
Magdalena Pacwa-Płociniczak
Ariel Marchlewicz
author_facet Agnieszka Nowak
Magdalena Pacwa-Płociniczak
Ariel Marchlewicz
author_sort Agnieszka Nowak
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Contrast agents are very persistent compounds that are detected in increasing concentrations in sewage and water. This study aimed to determine whether the presence of iodinated contrast agent – diatrizoate impacts microorganisms in activated sludge. During the 100-day experiment, an attempt was made to find the most sensitive microbial indicator that would inform about changes in the structure or activity of microbial communities as a result of exposure to diatrizoate. Biochemical and genetic factors were tested, and it was found that the most sensitive indicators were dehydrogenase activity and indexes related to the oxidation of specific substrates. On the last day of the experiment, the values of all analysed functional diversity indicators were worse when a higher concentration of diatrizoate was added. Dehydrogenase activity was half lower, the Gini coefficient was 0.15 higher and the Shannon and Richness indices were 0.31 and 6 lower, respectively, compared to the control. Simultaneously, an increased intensity of glycogen, α-cyclodextrin, α-ketobutyric and D-malic acid oxidation was revealed. In conclusion, the long-term exposition to diatrizoate, affects microbial metabolism and causes significant adverse changes in their functional diversity. This work demonstrates the importance of long-term studies of the impact of pharmaceuticals on microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems.
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spelling doaj-art-d0a46caa34424cd5ab8538228061acef2025-08-20T03:46:01ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-02321-3The effect of long-term exposure to diatrizoate on microbial communities in activated sludgeAgnieszka Nowak0Magdalena Pacwa-Płociniczak1Ariel Marchlewicz2Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Environmental Science, University of Silesia in KatowiceInstitute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Environmental Science, University of Silesia in KatowiceInstitute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Environmental Science, University of Silesia in KatowiceAbstract Contrast agents are very persistent compounds that are detected in increasing concentrations in sewage and water. This study aimed to determine whether the presence of iodinated contrast agent – diatrizoate impacts microorganisms in activated sludge. During the 100-day experiment, an attempt was made to find the most sensitive microbial indicator that would inform about changes in the structure or activity of microbial communities as a result of exposure to diatrizoate. Biochemical and genetic factors were tested, and it was found that the most sensitive indicators were dehydrogenase activity and indexes related to the oxidation of specific substrates. On the last day of the experiment, the values of all analysed functional diversity indicators were worse when a higher concentration of diatrizoate was added. Dehydrogenase activity was half lower, the Gini coefficient was 0.15 higher and the Shannon and Richness indices were 0.31 and 6 lower, respectively, compared to the control. Simultaneously, an increased intensity of glycogen, α-cyclodextrin, α-ketobutyric and D-malic acid oxidation was revealed. In conclusion, the long-term exposition to diatrizoate, affects microbial metabolism and causes significant adverse changes in their functional diversity. This work demonstrates the importance of long-term studies of the impact of pharmaceuticals on microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02321-3DiatrizoateActivated sludgeFunctional capacityMicrobial activityGene expressionEnvironmental stress indicators
spellingShingle Agnieszka Nowak
Magdalena Pacwa-Płociniczak
Ariel Marchlewicz
The effect of long-term exposure to diatrizoate on microbial communities in activated sludge
Scientific Reports
Diatrizoate
Activated sludge
Functional capacity
Microbial activity
Gene expression
Environmental stress indicators
title The effect of long-term exposure to diatrizoate on microbial communities in activated sludge
title_full The effect of long-term exposure to diatrizoate on microbial communities in activated sludge
title_fullStr The effect of long-term exposure to diatrizoate on microbial communities in activated sludge
title_full_unstemmed The effect of long-term exposure to diatrizoate on microbial communities in activated sludge
title_short The effect of long-term exposure to diatrizoate on microbial communities in activated sludge
title_sort effect of long term exposure to diatrizoate on microbial communities in activated sludge
topic Diatrizoate
Activated sludge
Functional capacity
Microbial activity
Gene expression
Environmental stress indicators
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02321-3
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