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Enhancing bioremediation potential of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus acutus by NaCl for pyrene degradation

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Abstract

Microalgae are increasingly recognized as promising organisms for bioremediation of organic pollutants. This study investigates the potential of enhancing the bioremediation efficiency of pyrene (PYR), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), through NaCl induced physiological and biochemical alterations in two microalgae species, Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus acutus. Our findings reveal significant improvement in PYR removal when these microalgae were cultivated in the presence of 0.1% NaCl where PYR removal increased from 54 to 74% for C. vulgaris and from 26 to 75% for S. acutus. However, it was observed that NaCl induced stress had varying effects on the two species. While C. vulgaris exhibited increased PYR removal, it experienced reduced growth and biomass production, as well as lower photosynthetic efficiency when exposed to PYR and PYR + NaCl. In contrast, S. acutus displayed better growth and biomass accumulation under PYR + NaCl conditions, making it a more efficient candidate for enhancing PYR bioremediation in the presence of NaCl. In addition to assessing growth and biochemical content, we also investigated stress biomarkers, such as lipid peroxidation, polyphenol and proline contents. These findings suggest that S. acutus holds promise as an alternative microalgae species for PYR removal in the presence of NaCl, offering potential advantages in terms of bioremediation efficiency and ecological sustainability. This study highlights the importance of understanding the physiological and biochemical responses of microalgae to environmental stressors, which can be harnessed to optimize bioremediation strategies for the removal of organic pollutants like PYR.

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Abbreviations

Chl:

Chlorophyll

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

PAHs:

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

PYR:

Pyrene

SP:

Saturation pulse

Y(II):

Quantum yield of PSII

Y(NO):

Yield of non-regulated energy dissipation

Y(NPQ):

Yield of regulated energy dissipation

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Acknowledgements

RST thanks Council of Scientific and Industrial Research for the CSIR-RA fellowship (09/301/(0134)/2018-EMR-I). PR thanks University Grants Commission, (UGC), India for awarding UGC-NET Junior Research Fellowship (F.16-(DEC.2016)/2017(NET)).

Funding

RST thanks Council of Scientific and Industrial Research for the CSIR-RA fellowship (09/301/(0134)/2018-EMR-I). PR thanks University Grants Commission, (UGC), India for awarding UGC-NET Junior Research Fellowship (F.16-(DEC.2016)/2017(NET)).

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Author notes

  1. Rupal Singh Tomar

    Present address: Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, India

    Rupal Singh Tomar, Prabha Rai-Kalal & Anjana Jajoo

  2. School of Biotechnology, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, India

    Anjana Jajoo

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  1. Rupal Singh Tomar
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  2. Prabha Rai-Kalal
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  3. Anjana Jajoo
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Contributions

RST Conceptualization, designed and performed the experiments, Data curation, Writing- Original draft preparation. PR-K Performed the experiments and writing. AJ Conceptualization, designed the experiments, Supervision, Writing- Reviewing and Editing.

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Correspondence to Rupal Singh Tomar.

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Tomar, R.S., Rai-Kalal, P. & Jajoo, A. Enhancing bioremediation potential of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus acutus by NaCl for pyrene degradation. Biodegradation (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10532-024-10071-8

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