Comparative responses of cell growth and related extracellular polymeric substances in Tetraselmis sp. to nonylphenol, bisphenol A and 17α-ethinylestradiol

Highlights: • EDC-specific response of algal cell growth, chlorophyll and related EPS variations. • NP undergoes abiotic degradation and results in higher toxicity to microalgae. • Increase of colloidal EPS contributes to microalga-mediated biodegradation of EE₂. • Increase of GLC and GAL are sensitive indexes in response to EDCs. Estuarine ecosystems near mega-cities are sinks of anthropogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). As the most important primary producer, indigenous microalgae and their secreted extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) might interact with EDCs and contribute to their fate and risk. Tetraselmis sp. is a representative model of estuarine microalga, for which EDC toxicity and its effects on EPS synthesis have rarely been studied. Through microalgal isolation, algal cell growth tests, EDC removal and the characterization of related EPS profiles, the present work intends to clarify the comparative responses of Tetraselmis sp. to nonylphenol (NP), bisphenol A (BPA) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE₂). The results showed that the half inhibitory concentration on cell growth was 0.190–0.313 mg/dm³ for NP, which was one order of magnitude lower than the comparable values for BPA and EE₂ at 2.072–3.254 mg/dm³. Regarding chlorophyll, NP induced its degradation, EE₂ led to its decreased production, and BPA had no obvious effect. Under EDC stress, only the concentrations of colloidal polysaccharides and proteins responded dose-dependently to EE₂. Except for the colloidal fraction in the EE₂ treatment group, the increase in neutral monosaccharides, especially glucose and galactose, was a common response to EDCs. Compared to the recalcitrant BPA, NP underwent abiotic degradation in alga-free water, and EE₂ could be biodegraded in water containing this microalga. The chemical-specific responses of cell growth, chlorophyll and related EPS profiles were driven by the different fates of EDCs, and the underlying mechanism was further discussed. The results obtained in the present work are of critical importance for understanding the fate and effects of different EDCs mediated by microalgae and their related EPSs.