Toxic effect of fluorene on Perinereis aibuhitensis body wall and its corresponding defense mechanisms: A metabolomics perspective

Abstract

Fluorene is a coastal sediment pollutant with high ecological risk. Perinereis aibuhitensis is an ecotoxicological model used for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon bioremediation; however, the effects of fluorene on the physiological metabolism of P. aibuhitensis and its corresponding responses remain unclear. This study explored the tolerance and defense responses of P. aibuhitensis in sediments with different fluorene concentrations using histology, ecological biomarkers, and metabolic responses. Metabolomics analyses revealed that P. aibuhitensis has high tolerance to fluorene in sediments. Fluorene stress disrupted the normal metabolism of the P. aibuhitensis body wall, resulting in excessive glycosphospholipid and stearamide accumulation and elevated oxygen consumption rates. To mitigate this, P. aibuhitensis has adopted tail cutting, yellowing, and modulation of metabolite contents in the body wall. This study provides novel insights into the potential ecological risk of fluorene pollution in marine sediments and proposes the use of P. aibuhitensis in the bioremediation of fluorene-contaminated sediments.