Enrichment and physiological responses of dechlorane plus on juvenile marine macroalgae (Ulva pertusa)

Abstract

Dechlorane Plus (DP), a chlorinated flame retardant, is increasingly reported in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. But little information is available regarding the toxicity of DP in marine organisms, especially in macroalgae. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of DP exposure on photosynthesis, oxidative stress and its enrichment in juvenile marine macroalgae (Ulva pertusa). Following 21- day uptake and 21- day depuration (10−8 mol/L), algae accumulated 1.18 times of DP compared to the initial concentration. Anti-DP was prone to accumulate in juvenile macroalgae. The enrichment of DP affected the physiological responses in algae. After 1, 7 and 14 days DP exposure (10−8, 10−7 and 10−6 mol/L), antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) activities and MDA content changed in a dose and time depended manner. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, including Fv/Fm, ΦPSII and ETR decreased with the increasing DP concentration. It indicated that DP leads to a low rate of light energy utilization in algae which may ascribe to the oxidative damage induced by DP enrichment. Present study provides insight into the toxicological effects of DP on marine macroalgae, which is useful for risk assessment of DP in intertidal zone ecosystems.