Cavalletti Elena, Romano Giovanna, Palma Esposito Fortunato, Barra Lucia, Chiaiese Pasquale, Balzano Sergio, Sardo Angela
Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Naples, Italy.
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy.
Toxics. 2022 Sep 6;10(9):527. doi: 10.3390/toxics10090527.
Microalgae are increasingly recognised as suitable microorganisms for heavy metal (HM) removal, since they are able to adsorb them onto their cell wall and, in some cases, compartmentalise them inside organelles. However, at relatively high HM concentrations, they could also show signs of stress, such as organelle impairments and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes. The main aim of this review is to report on the mechanisms adopted by microalgae to counteract detrimental effects of high copper (Cu) concentrations, and on the microalgal potential for Cu bioremediation of aquatic environments. Studying the delicate balance between beneficial and detrimental effects of Cu on microalgae is of particular relevance as this metal is widely present in aquatic environments facing industrial discharges. This metal often induces chloroplast functioning impairment, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and growth rate reduction in a dose-dependent manner. However, microalgae also possess proteins and small molecules with protective role against Cu and, in general, metal stress, which increase their resistance towards these pollutants. Our critical literature analysis reveals that microalgae can be suitable indicators of Cu pollution in aquatic environments, and could also be considered as components of eco-sustainable devices for HM bioremediation in association with other organisms.
微藻越来越被认为是去除重金属（HM）的合适微生物，因为它们能够将重金属吸附到细胞壁上，并且在某些情况下，将其分隔在细胞器内。然而，在相对较高的重金属浓度下，它们也可能表现出应激迹象，如细胞器损伤和抗氧化酶活性增加。本综述的主要目的是报告微藻对抗高铜（Cu）浓度有害影响所采用的机制，以及微藻对水生环境中铜进行生物修复的潜力。研究铜对微藻有益和有害影响之间的微妙平衡尤为重要，因为这种金属广泛存在于面临工业排放的水生环境中。这种金属通常会以剂量依赖的方式导致叶绿体功能受损、活性氧（ROS）生成以及生长速率降低。然而，微藻也拥有对铜以及一般金属胁迫具有保护作用的蛋白质和小分子，这增加了它们对这些污染物的抗性。我们的批判性文献分析表明，微藻可以作为水生环境中铜污染的合适指标，并且与其他生物结合时，也可被视为用于重金属生物修复的生态可持续装置的组成部分。
