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Toxicity, biotransformation, and mode of action of arsenic in two freshwater microalgae ( Chlorella sp. and Monoraphidium arcuatum )
Author(s) -
Levy Jacqueline L.,
Stauber Jennifer L.,
Adams Merrin S.,
Maher William A.,
Kirby Jason K.,
Jolley Dianne F.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1897/04-580r.1
Subject(s) - axenic , bioaccumulation , toxicity , arsenate , phosphate , arsenic , biology , chlorella , biotransformation , ec50 , growth inhibition , arsenic toxicity , biochemistry , chemistry , environmental chemistry , botany , algae , cell growth , enzyme , bacteria , genetics , organic chemistry , in vitro
The toxicity of As(V) and As(III) to two axenic topical freshwater microalgae, Chlorella sp. and Monoraphidium arcuatum , was determined using 72‐h growth rate—inhibition bioassays. Both organisms were tolerant to As(III) (72‐h concentration to cause 50% inhibition of growth rate [IC50], of 25 and 15 mg As[III]/L, respectively). Chlorella sp. also was tolerant to As(V) with no effect on growth rate over 72 h at concentrations up to 0.8 mg/L (72‐h IC50 of 25 mg As[V]/L). Monoraphidium arcuatum was more sensitive to As(V) (72‐h IC50 of 0.25 mg As[V]/L). An increase in phosphate in the growth medium (0.15–1.5 mg PO 3‐ 4 /L) decreased toxicity, i.e., the 72‐h IC50 value for M. arcuatum increased from 0.25 mg As(V)/L to 4.5 mg As(V)/L, while extracellular As and intracellular As decreased, indicating competition between arsenate and phosphate for cellular uptake. Both microalgae reduced As(V) to As(III) in the cell, with further biological transformation to methylated species (monomethyl arsonic acid and dimethyl arsinic acid) and phosphate arsenoriboside. Less than 0.01% of added As(V) was incorporated into algal cells, suggesting that bioaccumulation and subsequent methylation was not the primary mode of detoxification. When exposed to As(V), both species reduced As(V) to As(III); however, only M. arcuatum excreted As(III) into solution. Intracellular arsenic reduction may be coupled to thiol oxidation in both species. Arsenic toxicity most likely was due to arsenite accumulation in the cell, when the ability to excrete and/or methylate arsenite was overwhelmed at high arsenic concentrations. Arsenite may bind to intracellular thiols, such as glutathione, potentially disrupting the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione and, consequently, inhibiting cell division.