Zhao Zhilin, Zheng Xiaoying, Li Yue, Han Zongshuo, Tang Yu, Hu Tianxing, Lin Tao
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 5;488:137344. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137344. Epub 2025 Jan 25.
Microplastics (MPs) and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), emerging contaminants, are ubiquitous in the environment and toxic to organisms. The interaction of MPs with other contaminants can affect their toxicity. However, the impact of MPs on PFBA toxicity remains unknown. This research investigated the individual and combined impacts of polystyrene microplastics (PS) and PFBA to Chlorella sorokiniana based on cellular responses and transcriptome analyses. Results showed that both PS and PFBA induced excessive ROS generation, causing cell membrane damage and photosynthesis inhibition, ultimately inhibiting Chlorella sorokiniana growth. The highest inhibition was observed for small particle size PS, with a maximum inhibition rate of 15.98 ± 1.24 % (3PS group). Notably, the combined toxicity of PFBA and PS exhibited antagonism, which was attributed to PFBA adsorption and PS hetero-aggregation via massive EPS secretion, resulting in decreased PS and PFBA bioavailability. Transcriptomic analysis elucidated that EPS secretion was promoted owing to the up-regulation of carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism (carbon fixation, oxidative phosphorylation, and TCA cycle). Enhanced EPS secretion, ABC transport, and antioxidant response alleviated PS and PFBA toxicity. Our findings offer valuable data for the joint ecotoxicity of PFASs and MPs, contributing to environmental risk assessment of co-pollution.
微塑料（MPs）和全氟丁酸（PFBA）作为新兴污染物，在环境中广泛存在且对生物体有毒害作用。微塑料与其他污染物的相互作用会影响其毒性。然而，微塑料对PFBA毒性的影响尚不清楚。本研究基于细胞反应和转录组分析，探究了聚苯乙烯微塑料（PS）和PFBA对索氏小球藻的单独及联合影响。结果表明，PS和PFBA均诱导了过量活性氧的产生，导致细胞膜损伤和光合作用抑制，最终抑制了索氏小球藻的生长。小粒径PS的抑制作用最强，最大抑制率为15.98±1.24%（3PS组）。值得注意的是，PFBA和PS的联合毒性表现为拮抗作用，这归因于PFBA的吸附以及PS通过大量胞外聚合物（EPS）分泌形成的异质聚集，导致PS和PFBA的生物利用度降低。转录组分析表明，碳水化合物、氨基酸和能量代谢（碳固定、氧化磷酸化和三羧酸循环）的上调促进了EPS的分泌。EPS分泌、ABC转运和抗氧化反应的增强减轻了PS和PFBA的毒性。我们的研究结果为全氟辛烷磺酸和微塑料的联合生态毒性提供了有价值的数据，有助于对复合污染进行环境风险评估。
