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Toxicity of Synthetic Surfactants to the Marine Macroalga, Ulva lactuca

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Abstract

The toxicities of three synthetic surfactants to the marine macroalga, Ulva lactuca, have been examined by monitoring chlorophyll a fluorescence quenching. The anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), exerted no measurable toxicity over the concentration range 0–10 mg L−1, while presence of the non-ionic surfactant, Triton X-100 (TX), elicited a small reduction in photochemical efficiency that was independent of concentration. The cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA), incurred a dose-dependent response to ∼3 mg L−1 (EC50 = 2.4 mg L−1), but a reduction in toxicity thereafter. Presence of TX had little effect on the toxicity of HDTMA but an equimolar concentration of SDS directly offset the impact of HDTMA on photochemical efficiency. Relative toxicities of the surfactants are attributed to differences in affinity for the algal surface and tendencies to disrupt cell membranes and interact with intracellular macromolecules. Non-linear dose responses and antagonistic effects are attributed to non-specific interactions between molecules of the same surfactant and electrostatic interactions between molecules of different amphiphilic character.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Angela Harrop, UoP, for assistance with the algal culturing. KM was supported by an Erasmus Mundus studentship to undertake a Joint European Masters in Water and Coastal Management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka

    Kanaji Masakorala

  2. School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK

    Andrew Turner

  3. School of Marine Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK

    Murray T. Brown

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  1. Kanaji Masakorala
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  2. Andrew Turner
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  3. Murray T. Brown
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Correspondence to Andrew Turner.

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Masakorala, K., Turner, A. & Brown, M.T. Toxicity of Synthetic Surfactants to the Marine Macroalga, Ulva lactuca . Water Air Soil Pollut 218, 283–291 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-010-0641-4

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