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Combined effect of nanoscale zero-valent iron and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) to the freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus

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Abstract

With wide use of nanoparticles, co-exposure of aquatic organisms to nanoparticles and organic pollutants often takes place in the environment. However, the combined effects are still rarely understood. In this study, in order to study the interaction and biological effects of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), which acts as a typical surfactant, the freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus was exposed to nZVI and LAS individually and in combination for 96 h. According to the inhibition rate of the algae, the toxic effects were investigated by dose-response analysis. Then the combined effect of nZVI and LAS was evaluated using three evaluation models including toxicity unit (TU), additional index (AI), and mixture toxicity index (MTI). The results showed that the 96 h IC50 of nZVI and LAS to Scenedesmus obliquus was 2.464 mmol L−1 and 0.332 mmol L−1, respectively. When nZVI coexisted with LAS at toxic ratio 1:1, the 96 h IC50 value was 1.658 mmol L−1 (shown with nZVI), and the partly additive effect of nZVI mixed with LAS was confirmed. However, when the toxic ratio of nZVI:LAS was 4:1, it showed synergistic effect. In addition, when nZVI mixed with LAS at toxic ratio 1:4, the joint effect is antagonistic effect. In addition, the content of chorophyll in Scenedesmus obliquus, especially the content of chlorophyll a, was decreased with the increase of mixture dose. However, the protein levels did not show significant changes at different mixture doses.

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Acknowledgements

This paper is to commemorate Professor Shu-Pei Cheng. And this work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51778618), which is greatly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environment & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, 100872, Beijing, PR China

    Rong Cheng, Ya-ping Liu, Yi-hui Chen, Liang-jie Shen, Jiao-jiao Wu, Lei Shi & Xiang Zheng

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  1. Rong Cheng
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  2. Ya-ping Liu
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Cheng, R., Liu, Yp., Chen, Yh. et al. Combined effect of nanoscale zero-valent iron and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) to the freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus. Ecotoxicology 30, 1366–1375 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-020-02294-1

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