Phytotoxicity, Bioaccumulation, and Degradation of Nonylphenol in Different Microalgal Species without Bacterial Influences

Abstract

Nonylphenol (NP) is a contaminant that has negative impacts on aquatic organisms. To investigate its phytotoxicity, bioaccumulation, and degradation in algae without associated bacteria, six freshwater microalgae—Ankistrodesmus acicularis, Chlorella vulgaris, Chroococcus minutus, Scenedesmus obliquus, Scenedesmus quadricauda, and Selenastrum bibraianum—in bacteria-free cultures were studied. When exposed to 0.5–3.0 mg L−1 NP for 4 days, cell growth and photosynthesis, including maximal photochemistry (Fv/Fm), were suppressed progressively. The antioxidant responses of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) showed species differences. While the antioxidant enzymes in C. vulgaris and S. obliquus were more active with the increase of NP (0–3 mg L−1), they dropped in the other four algae at concentrations of 1 and 1.5 mg L−1. Therefore, C. vulgaris and S. obliquus were designated as NP-tolerant species and showed more conspicuous and faster changes of antioxidant reactions compared with the four NP-sensitive species. All six species degraded NP, but A. acicularis was more reactive at low NP concentrations (<1 mg L−1), suggesting its possible application in sewage treatment for its potential for effective NP removal from water bodies in a suitable scope. Therefore, the conclusion is that biodegradation of NP by algae is species specific.

OctylPhenol (OP) Alone and in Combination with NonylPhenol (NP) Alters the Structure and the Function of Thyroid Gland of the Lizard Podarcis siculus

“…Inhibition of TH-binding by OP might damage the TRH–TSH–THs regulatory pathway. In addition, APs might accelerate the TH metabolic rate by enhancing the activity of iodothyronine deiodinase, leading to a decrease in T 3 and T 4 activity (He et al 2020 ).…”

Innovative technologies to remove alkylphenols from wastewater: a review

“…In addition, when combined with conventional activated sludge systems, algal-bacterial symbiosis can reduce the electrical energy requirements for aeration (Redalje et al 1989). Other advantages can be found in the following references: Biris-Dorhoi et al 2016, Hwang et al 2016, Molazadeh et al 2019, and Wollmann et al 2019 Recent studies have also been reported the removal, biosorption and biodegradation of alkylphenols by microalgae (Zhou et al 2013(Zhou et al , 2014Delrue et al 2016;He et al 2016He et al , 2020Maza-Márquez et al 2018;Gupta and Bux 2019;Wang et al 2019). For example, Zhou et al (2013Zhou et al ( , 2014 studied the removal of nonylphenol and octylphenol by the freshwater green microalga Scenedesmus obliquus in cultures exposed to different concentrations of alkylphenols for 5 days.…”

Advanced Treatments for the Removal of Alkylphenols and Alkylphenol Polyethoxylates from Wastewater

“…Recent studies have also been reported the removal, biosorption and biodegradation of alkylphenols by microalgae (Zhou et al 2013(Zhou et al , 2014Delrue et al 2016;He et al 2016He et al , 2020Maza-Márquez et al 2018;Gupta and Bux 2019;Wang et al 2019). For example, Zhou et al (2013Zhou et al ( , 2014 studied the removal of nonylphenol and octylphenol by the freshwater green microalga Scenedesmus obliquus in cultures exposed to different concentrations of alkylphenols for 5 days.…”