Effects of oxytetracycline on growth and chlorophyll a fluorescence in green algae (Chlorella vulgaris), diatom (Phaeodactylum tricornutum) and cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa and Nodularia spumigena)

• Published in: Oceanologia Vol. 62; no. 2; pp. 214 - 225
• Main Authors: Siedlewicz, Grzegorz, Żak, Adam, Sharma, Lilianna, Kosakowska, Alicja, Pazdro, Ksenia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wroclaw Elsevier Sp. z o.o 01.04.2020; Zaklad Narodowy imienia Ossolinskich; Elsevier
• Subjects: Algae; Antibiotics; Chlorella vulgaris; Chlorophyll a fluorescence; Chlorophylls; Cyanobacteria; Diatoms; Fluorescence; Marine; Microalgae; Microcystis aeruginosa; Nodularia spumigena; Phaeodactylum tricornutum; Toxicity; Toxicity studies; Toxicity tests; ANE, Baltic Sea; Chlorophyll a fluorescence; Microalgae; Antibiotics; Toxicity studies; Cyanobacteria
• ISSN: 0078-3234; 2300-7370
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceano.2019.12.002

•Oxytetracycline affects non-target organisms•Oxytetracycline can impact cyanobacteria and microalgae•Presentation of a possible mode of action of oxytetracycline on non-target organisms•Implementation of prolonged standard toxicity tests required The study aimed at measuring the influence of a wide range of oxytetracycline concentrations, with particular attention to the low levels of the antibiotic on cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa and Nodularia spumigena, diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and the model green algae Chlorella vulgaris by conducting prolonged toxicity tests (lasting 10 days). Standard measurements (cell number, optical density, chlorophyll a concentration) were combined with photosynthetic parameters measurements. The obtained results show that concentrations of oxytetracycline present in the environment can affect tested microorganisms. It was found to decrease photosystem II efficiency and disrupt the photosynthesis process. A careful interpretation of photosynthetic parameters allowed a better understanding of the mode of action of oxytetracycline in relation to non-target photoautotrophic organisms like cyanobacteria and microalgae. In conclusion, it would appear that the use of standard chronic toxicity tests (72 h) does not allow to accurately and reliably assess the chronic impact of bioactive compounds including drugs and their metabolites on water organisms. On this basis, we recommend the application of extended duration tests.