Graphene oxide alleviates the ecotoxicity of copper on the freshwater microalga Scenedesmus obliquus

• Antagonistic effects of graphene oxide and copper were studied on freshwater microalga.
• GO at 1 mg/L significantly inhibited copper toxicity to S. obliquus.
• Different exposure sequences of GO and copper on the effects were investigated.

The extensive industrial application of graphene oxide (GO), has increased its exposure risk to various aquatic organisms and its potential to affect the toxicity of other environmental pollutants. In this study, we investigated the combined toxicity of GO and copper on the freshwater microalga Scenedesmus obliquus, using the MIXTOX model. The effects of low concentration (1 mg/L) exposure to GO were investigated with environmentally relevant concentrations of copper by using a 12-d subacute toxicity test, with pre- and post-GO treatment. Results showed that there were significant antagonistic effects between GO and copper on S. obliquus, and GO was found to reduce ecotoxicity of copper even at low and environmentally relevant concentrations (1 mg/L).

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