Ecotoxicological Effects of the Anionic Surfactant Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) in Two Marine Primary Producers: Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Ulva lactuca

Abstract

Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) is an anionic surfactant, extensively used in detergents, household and personal care products, as well as in industrial processes. The present study aimed to disclose the potential toxicological effects of SDS exposure under environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 3, and 10 mg L−1) on the physiology and biochemistry (photosynthesis, pigment, and lipid composition, antioxidative systems, and energy balance) of two marine autotrophs: the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and the macroalgae Ulva lactuca. A growth rate (GR) reduction in P. tricornutum was observed with a classic dose-response effect towards the highest applied concentration, while a GR increase occurred in U. lactuca. Regarding photochemistry, the decrease in the fluorescence of the OJIP curves and laser-induced fluorescence allowed a better separation between SDS treatments in U. lactuca compared with P. tricornutum. Although all pigments significantly decreased in U. lactuca at the highest concentrations (except for antheraxanthin), no significant variations occurred in P. tricornutum. On the other hand, changes in fatty acid content were observed in P. tricornutum but not in U. lactuca. In terms of classical biomarker assessment, a dose-effect relationship of individual biomarkers versus SDS dose applied; U. lactuca displayed a higher number of biomarker candidates, including those in distinct metabolic pathways, increasing its usefulness for ecotoxicological applications. By evaluating the potential application of optical and biochemical traits, it was evident that the fatty acid profiles of the different exposure groups are excellent candidates in P. tricornutum, concomitant with the characteristics of this anionic surfactant. On the other hand, the results presented by laser-induced fluorescence and some parameters of PAM fluorometry in U. lactuca may be an advantage in the field, offering non-invasive, fast, easy-to-use, high-throughput screening techniques as excellent tools for ecotoxicology assessment.

Performance of Treating Surfactant-Containing Wastewater by Using Algal–Bacterial Granular Sludge

“…The DIC concentration in the bacterial AGS group was relatively stable compared with the algal-bacterial AGS group, and the effluent concentration was constant at around 19 mg/L. This result also showed that the absorption and utilization of inorganic carbon by algae cells is the main reason for the high removal efficiency of algal-bacterial AGS for DIC [25]. As confirmed by many articles, bicarbonate is the main form of carbon ingested by algae, which facilitates the growth of algal cells and lipid accumulation [26].…”

“…When it came to Stage III, the concentration of DIC in the effluent of the algal-bacterial AGS group suddenly increased to 23.17 ± 0.12 mg/L. Although the removal efficiency slowly recovered afterward, it was still unable to return to the initial state, which shows that the destruction of algae cells caused by the surfactant is irreversible [25]. This result may be also associated with the change in chlorophyll-a.…”

“…By the end of Stage II, the DIC concentration in the effluent reached 10.18 ± 0.18 mg/L, which was significantly lower than that of the bacterial AGS group. This phenomenon may be attributed to the inhibition of algal cell activity in algal-bacterial AGS after the addition of surfactant, resulting in an increase in DIC effluent concentration; then, the DIC removal efficiency gradually returns to normal levels after adapting to the new environment and even increases to maintain its cell growth under the stimulation of surfactant [25]. When it came to Stage III, the concentration of DIC in the effluent of the algal-bacterial AGS group suddenly increased to 23.17 ± 0.12 mg/L.…”

Toxic effects of sodium dodecyl sulfate on planarian Dugesia japonica

“…Although most surfactants are degradable, their continuous use and excessive emissions have caused pollution to the water environment ( Bhattacharya et al, 2022 ; Lechuga et al, 2016 ; Mustapha & Bawa-Allah, 2020 ; Rosety-Rodríguez et al, 2002 ). The discharge of cleaning products containing SDS into the water environment through domestic wastewater had toxic effects on aquatic organisms ( Bondi et al, 2015 ; Cruzde Carvalho et al, 2022 ; Jönander, Backhaus & Dahllöf, 2022 ; Messina et al, 2014 ). SDS in the water entered the fish body through gills, skin, or intestinal epithelial cells, circulated to various parts of the body, interrupted the normal steroidogenesis process, and reduced the production of sex hormone ( Moniruzzaman & Saha, 2021 ; Rosety-Rodríguez et al, 2002 ).…”

Special Issue on “Insights on Ecotoxicological Effects of Anthropogenic Contaminants in Aquatic Organisms”

“…Two interesting species of primary producers, the microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum and the macroalgae Ulva lactuca, were used to evaluate the effects of one of the most used anionic surfactants, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), commonly used in cleansing formulations [9]. A wide range of biochemical and biophysical assays were applied to evaluate the effects of environmentally relevant SDS concentrations on the two selected species, encouraging their use as suitable models for ecotoxicological assessments.…”