Affiliation:
1. College of Ecology, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
2. Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
3. Department of Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571100, China
4. Hainan Provincial Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Haikou 570228, China
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of herbicide exposure on Navicula sp. (MASCC-0035) algae, focusing on growth density, chlorophyll content, antioxidant system, and lipid metabolism. Navicula cultures were exposed to different concentrations of atrazine (ATZ), glyphosate (Gly), and acetochlor (ACT) for 96 h. Results showed a significant decrease in cell numbers, with higher herbicide concentrations having the most noticeable impacts. For instance, Gly-G2 had reduced cell populations by 21.00% at 96 h. Chlorophyll content varied, with Gly having a greater impact on chlorophyll a compared to ATZ and ACT. Herbicide exposure also affected the antioxidant system, altering levels of soluble sugar, soluble protein, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Higher herbicide rates increased soluble sugar content (e.g., ATZ, Gly, and ACT-G2 had increased by 14.03%, 19.88%, and 19.83%, respectively, at 72 h) but decreased soluble protein content, notably in Gly-G2 by 11.40%, indicating cellular stress. Lipid metabolism analysis revealed complex responses, with changes in free proline, fatty acids, and lipase content, each herbicide exerting distinct effects. These findings highlight the multifaceted impacts of herbicide exposure on Navicula algae, emphasizing the need for further research to understand ecological implications and develop mitigation strategies for aquatic ecosystems.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Specific Research Fund of the Innovation Platform for Academicians of Hainan Province
Key R&D Projects in Hainan Province
Hainan Province Science and Technology Special Fund