Bioaccumulation and physiological effects of tetrabromobisphenol A in coontail Ceratophyllum demersum L.

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is one of the most widely used brominated flame retardants. In the present study, the accumulation of TBBPA and its consequent biological responses were examined in coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum L.) over 14 days’ exposure. Most of the TBBPA was accumulated after 4 d exposure and TBBPA concentration in plant increased with increasing TBBPA concentration in growth solution (R2 = 0.99). By using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we found that the TBBPA exposure significantly increased total free radicals generation in the plants. A good positive relationship (R2 = 0.99) was found between the free radicals formation and accumulation level of TBBPA in plant. Lipid peroxidation was enhanced and chlorophyll content showed declined after TBBPA exposure. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and the contents of glutathione were also detected. The results suggest that TBBPA accumulation in C. demersum induces oxidative stress and the level of tolerance depends on the antioxidative capacity of the plants.