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Liu S, Han J, Ma X, Zhu X, Qu H, Xin G, Huang X. Repeated release of cerium oxide nanoparticles altered algal responses: Growth, photosynthesis, and photosynthetic gene expression. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH 2024; 3:290-299. [PMID: 39263270 PMCID: PMC11387588 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
The expanding production of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can eventually cause their increased release into and presence in aquatic ecosystems, potentially threatening the health of aquatic organisms and the stability of the ecological environment. Generally, ENMs are repeatedly released into real-world aquatic environments in relatively low concentrations, potentially affecting photosynthesis in primary producers such as algae. However, knowledge regarding the effects of repeated exposure to ENMs on algal photosynthesis is still lacking. Herein, the physiological responses of the freshwater algae Chlorella vulgaris following single and repeated exposures to cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) were investigated at 10 mg/L, with a focus on photosynthesis. The results showed that repeated exposures triggered increased photosynthetic pigment contents, oxidative stress levels, decreased photosynthetic performance, and lower biomass in C. vulgaris compared to a single exposure. Photosynthesis-related genes (i.e., petA, petB, psaA, atpB, and rbcL) were found to be upregulated following repeated exposures. Particularly for petB, repeated rather than single exposure treatment significantly upregulated its expression levels by 2.92-10.24-fold compared to unexposed controls. Furthermore, increased exposure times could aggravate the interaction between CeO2 NPs and algae, elevating 8.13%, 12.13%, and 20.51% Ce distribution on the algal cell surface or intracellularly, compared to a single exposure. This study is the first to investigate the effects of ENM exposure times on algal photosynthesis, providing new insights into the assessment of the risks these materials pose to real-world aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saibo Liu
- State Key Lab of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Jingheng Han
- State Key Lab of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xiaowu Ma
- State Key Lab of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xiaoshan Zhu
- College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Han Qu
- College of Environment and Ecology, Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
| | - Guorong Xin
- State Key Lab of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xiaochen Huang
- State Key Lab of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
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Thoré ESJ, Aulsebrook AE, Brand JA, Almeida RA, Brodin T, Bertram MG. Time is of the essence: The importance of considering biological rhythms in an increasingly polluted world. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002478. [PMID: 38289905 PMCID: PMC10826942 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Biological rhythms have a crucial role in shaping the biology and ecology of organisms. Light pollution is known to disrupt these rhythms, and evidence is emerging that chemical pollutants can cause similar disruption. Conversely, biological rhythms can influence the effects and toxicity of chemicals. Thus, by drawing insights from the extensive study of biological rhythms in biomedical and light pollution research, we can greatly improve our understanding of chemical pollution. This Essay advocates for the integration of biological rhythmicity into chemical pollution research to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how chemical pollutants affect wildlife and ecosystems. Despite historical barriers, recent experimental and technological advancements now facilitate the integration of biological rhythms into ecotoxicology, offering unprecedented, high-resolution data across spatiotemporal scales. Recognizing the importance of biological rhythms will be essential for understanding, predicting, and mitigating the complex ecological repercussions of chemical pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli S. J. Thoré
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- TRANSfarm—Science, Engineering, & Technology Group, KU Leuven, Lovenjoel, Belgium
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anne E. Aulsebrook
- Department of Ornithology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Jack A. Brand
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rafaela A. Almeida
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tomas Brodin
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Michael G. Bertram
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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