Phytotoxicity of environmental norfloxacin concentrations on the aquatic plant Spirodela polyrrhiza: Evaluation of growth parameters, photosynthetic toxicity and biochemical traits

Ecological influences of sulfadiazine on rhizosphere soil microbial communities in ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)-soil potting systems: Perspectives on diversity, co-occurrence networks, and assembly processes

Microorganisms in the soil are crucial constituents of land ecosystems, significantly influencing their structure and functionality. However, the accumulation of antibiotics in agricultural practices may negatively affect these microbial communities. The objective of this study was to explore the ecological effects of the sulfonamide drug sulfadiazine (SDZ) on the rhizosphere soil microbial communities of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). A potting system experiment was constructed by exposing for 45 days after treatments with different initial concentrations of SDZ (0, 1, 10, and 30 mg/kg) to assess the effects of SDZ on soil microbial diversity, bacterial-fungal co-occurrence networks, and community assembly processes. The findings indicated that SDZ treatment significantly altered the community composition, especially for bacteria in the phylum Proteobacteria and Gemmatimonadota and fungi in the phylum Mortierellomycota and Aphelidiomycota. Network analysis revealed that SDZ stress caused alterations in microbial interaction patterns, especially at high treatment concentrations, and reduced network connectivity. In addition, SDZ significantly affected microbial community assembly processes, where stochastic processes were enhanced in bacterial communities, while fungal communities showed a balance of stochastic and deterministic processes. Analysis of environmental variables revealed that the presence of SDZ may disrupt the link between soil microorganisms and soil nitrogen compounds. The results provide new perspectives for understanding the ecological impacts of antibiotic residues in agroecosystems and provide a scientific basis for soil health management.

From bacteria to fish: ecotoxicological insights into sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and trimethoprim (TRIM) are two of the most used antibiotics in the last 50 years, to prevent and treat bacterial infections; however, the available literature about toxicity to non-target organisms is quite discrepant and incomplete. This study aims to assess the SMX and TRIM ecotoxicological effects in standard species: Aliivibrio fischeri (bioluminescence inhibition), Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (growth inhibition), Lemna minor (growth inhibition and biochemical biomarkers), Daphnia magna (immobilization/mortality, life history traits, and biochemical biomarkers), and Danio rerio (survival, hatching, abnormalities, and biochemical biomarkers). The species tested showed different acute sensitivities to SMX (A. fischeri < D. magna < E. coli < L. minor) and TRIM (L. minor < A. fischeri < D. magna < E. coli). Overall, TRIM reveals less toxicity than SMX, except for E. coli (Ecotoxicological approach based on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing - EcoAST procedure). Both antibiotics affect individually (e.g., growth and survival) and sub-individually (e.g., antioxidant defenses) L. minor, D. magna, and D. rerio. This study allowed us to generate relevant data and fill gaps in the literature regarding the effects of SMX and TRIM in aquatic organisms. The here-obtained results can be used to (i) complete and re-evaluate the Safety Data Sheet to improve the assessment of environmental safety and management of national and international entities; (ii) clarify the environmental risks of these antibiotics in aquatic ecosystems reinforcing the inclusion in the 4th Watch List of priority substances to be monitored in whole inland waters by the Water Framework Directive; and (iii) combat the development of antimicrobial resistance, as well as supporting the definition of environmental measurements in the context of European One Health Action Plan. However, it is essential to continue studying these antibiotics to better understand their toxicity at ecologically relevant concentrations and their long-term effects under different climatic change scenarios.

Ecotoxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate on aquatic plant Vallisneria natans

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are persistent organic contaminants that are highly toxic to the environment and bioaccumulate, but their ecotoxic effects on aquatic plants remain unclear. In this study, the submerged plant Vallisneria natans was treated with short-term (7 days) and long-term (21 days) exposures to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, and 10 mg/L, respectively. The results showed that both high concentrations of PFOA and PFOS inhibited the growth of V. natans and triggered the increase in photosynthetic pigment content in leaves. The oxidative damage occurred mainly in leaves, but both leaves and roots gradually built up tolerance during the stress process without serious membrane damage. Both leaves and roots replied to short-term stress by activating superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), while peroxidase (POD) was involved under high concentration stress with increasing exposure time. Leaves showed a dose-effect relationship in integrated biomarker response (IBR) values under short-term exposure, and the sensitivity of roots and leaves to PFOS was higher than that of PFOA. Our findings help to increase knowledge of the toxic effects of PFCs and have important reference value for risk assessment and environmental remediation of PFCs in the aquatic ecosystem.

Ocean acidification alters shellfish-algae nutritional value and delivery

The ecological effects of climate change and ocean acidification (OA) have been extensively studied. Various microalgae are ecologically important in the overall pelagic food web as key contributors to oceanic primary productivity. Additionally, no organism exists in isolation in a complex environment, and shifts in food quality may lead to indirect OA effects on consumers. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of OA on algal trophic composition and subsequent bivalve growth. Here, the growth and nutrient fractions of Chlorella sp., Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Chaetocetos muelleri were used to synthesize and assess the impact of OA on primary productivity. Total protein content, total phenolic compounds, and amino acid (AA) and fatty acid (FA) content were evaluated as nutritional indicators. The results demonstrated that the three microalgae responded positively to OA in the future environment, significantly enhancing growth performance and nutritional value as a food source. Additionally, certain macromolecular fractions found in consumers are closely linked to their dietary sources, such as phenylalanine, C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C20:1n9, C18:0, and C18:3n. Our findings illustrate that OA affects a wide range of crucial primary producers in the oceans, which can disrupt nutrient delivery and have profound impacts on the entire marine ecosystem and human food health.

The interactions between aquatic plants and antibiotics: Progress and prospects

Antibiotics have emerged as a widespread pollutant in the aquatic environment. Aquatic phytoremediation to remove antibiotic pollution in water has aroused increasing research. Due to complex interaction between aquatic plants and antibiotics in the aquatic environment, it is essential to summarize the present research progress and point out the shortcomings to better use aquatic plants to remediate antibiotic pollution. A growing body of evidence indicates roots are the most important tissues for aquatic plants to absorb and accumulate antibiotics and antibiotics can be transferred in aquatic plants. LogKow value is an important factor to affecting the antibiotic absorption by aquatic plant. The study showed that antibiotics have toxic effects on aquatic plants, including metabolic interference, oxidative damage, damage to photosynthetic system, and inhibition of growth. However, the species sensitivity distribution model indicated that the general environmental concentrations of antibiotics pose no risk to aquatic plant growth. Aquatic plants can significantly reduce the antibiotics concentration in water and the removal efficiency is affected by many factors, such as the type of aquatic plants and antibiotics. Macrolide antibiotics are most easily removed by plants. This study reviewed the current research progress and provides valuable scientific recommendations for further research.

Metagenomics analysis reveals the effects of norfloxacin on the gut microbiota of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Norfloxacin (NOR) is an early third-generation quinolone antibiotic that has been widely used in animal husbandry and aquaculture because of its bactericidal properties. As an emerging contaminant, NOR may have toxic effects on fish. This study assessed the chronic toxicity (6 weeks) of 0 (control group), 100 ng/L (environmental concentration), and 1 mg/L NOR to the gut microbiota of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio) based on metagenomic sequencing. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were the dominant bacteria in the gut of common carp. The relative abundance of Actinobacteria was highest in the control group. The alpha diversity of the environmental concentration NOR was significantly lower than the control group. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) indicated that the bacterial community between the different groups formed clear separate clusters. NOR exposure adversely could affect immune function and some substance metabolic pathways in the gut microbiota of common carp. Furthermore, environmental concentrations of NOR produce antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the gut microbiota, enhancing resistance to drugs. In conclusion, environmental concentrations of NOR could alter the composition, structure, and abundance of ARGs in the gut microbiota, thereby affecting the intestinal health of fish.

Chronic toxic effects of polystyrene micro-plastics, DCOIT and their combination on marine Chlorella sp

Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most dangerous polymers, mainly because of the mutagenic or carcinogenic risk of the monomers used to produce it. Sea-Nine 211 is a commercial antifouling agent; its active ingredient is the biocide 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-4-isothiazolinone-3-one (DCOIT). Micro- and nano-plastics have different synergistic effects on marine organisms together with organic pollutants. To understand the toxic effects of DCOIT and PS alone and in combination, marine Chlorella sp was selected as the experimental organism. The exposure concentration of DCOIT was set at 50 μg/L, and that of PS was set at 10 μg/L. The results show that all exposed groups promoted the growth of marine Chlorella sp in the late stage of exposure, and the recovery time of marine Chlorella sp in the exposed group containing PS was earlier. Changing trend of chlorophyll a was consistent with the growth trend. On the 15th day of exposure, the gene expression of the photosynthesis system in the combined exposed group showed a significant difference, and the cells produced oxidative stress. Scanning electron microscope observation shows the algae adhered to each other. The volume of algae cells in DCOIT and PS exposed groups decreased, and the internal structure of algae cells in each exposed group was damaged.