Arsenic and selenium interactive effect on alga Desmodesmus quadricauda

Substances known to be toxic in one-component solutions often exhibit unexpected effects when present in mixtures. Only a few efforts have been made to assess the effect of As–Se mixture in algae or plants in general. Due to the lack of information on this topic, the aim of this study was to examine the As–Se interactive effect in the alga species Desmodesmus quadricauda. The initial density of algal cells was 1.9×104, cultures were permanently illuminated (70 μEm−2 s−1) and As and Se adverse effect was expressed as EC (effective concentration) value. For all experiments three EC (EC10, EC20, EC50) values for both metalloids were used: for As 26.20, 29.05, 35.38 mg L−1 and for Se 1.93, 3.65, 12.24 mg L−1, respectively. During this study algal biomass growth, lipid peroxidation and protein-bound thiol content parameters were used to assess the As–Se interactions. The reciprocal effect of the elements on their uptake by the alga was also determined. The As-treated algae supplemented with Se exhibited impaired growth indicating a synergistic interaction between the two elements. In samples treated with As–Se mixture, the total algal As content showed marked increase depending on the Se concentration in the mixture. Se uptake was also positively affected by rising As concentrations in the mixture. Consequently, the As–Se-treated algae experienced greater damage to membranes, evidenced by marked elevation of the TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) content. The TBARS content increased to a maximum level by 29.05 mg L−1 of As and 3.65 mg L−1 of Se, which was around 70 percent higher than that of the control. The thiol content was very close to that of the control treatment over the entire concentration range and for all As and Se combinations tested. Possible explanation for the synergism observed in D. quadricauda, is that the elevated uptake of As and Se upon their interaction and impaired antioxidant system, has added to the toxicity of the elements.

► As–Se reciprocal effect was in watched range on observed parameters synergistic. ► Increase in As concentration intensified Se adverse effect on algal growth. ► Protein-bound thiol content in As–Se mixture increased only about 10–20 percent. ► As–Se mixture damage algal membranes, evidenced by elevation of the TBARS content. ► As–Se combination elevated uptake of both metals