EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF MICROPLASTICS (MPs) ON THE TOXICITY OF BENZO[A]PYRENE (BaP) IN THE GREEN ALGA RAPHIDOCELIS SUBCAPITATA

Abstract

Algae are the base of trofic chain in the aquatic enviroment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of MPs on BaP toxicity in a chlorophyceous algae. The algae was exposed to three concentrations of MPs (5, 50 and 500mg/L), alone and associated with the EC50 of BaP in the algae, for 72±2h, with controled luminosity, temperature and agitation. 5 and 50mg/L MP concentrations inhibited growth, probably due to plastics additives. Associated with 50mg/L and 500mg/L MP, BaP toxicity was reduced (attenuation of effects by the addition of higher concentrations of MP. 500mg/L MP did not indicate toxicity. 5mg/L MP+BaP and BaP EC50 concentrations were more toxic than the control, due to the interaction of PAH with algal membrane lipids. Further studies are needed to elucidate these issues.

Keywords: Primary producers; freshwater; algae growth; PAHs; plastic particles