Impact of benzyl butyl phthalate on freshwater phytoplanktons

Phthalates are synthetic compounds widely used in the production of plastics and various consumer goods, frequently accumulating in aquatic ecosystems. As substances that are affected by climate change through the increasing rates of leaching from plastics caused by higher temperatures, they deserve huge attention in investigations related to climate change. An increase in the temperature from 25 to 35 °C can elevate phthalate leaching by more than a factor of 10. Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) as one of the most used phthalates, can be found in the fresh waters. The impact of benzyl butyl phthalate on freshwater organisms remains underexplored, especially in the context of climate change. This study examines the effects of BBP on the growth of freshwater cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp. and Anabaena sp.) and green microalgae (Chlorella sp., and Scenedesmus sp.) under controlled laboratory conditions. Cyanobacteria and microalgae were exposed to five concentrations of BBP, with growth monitored spectrophotometrically through chlorophyll a production, an indicator of cellular proliferation. BBP concentrations in the culture media were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results indicate that BBP has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the growth of tested cyanobacteria and microalgae strains. These findings contribute to understanding BBP's ecological impact in freshwater environments, with implications for climate change-influenced pollution dynamics. 

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Primary Presenter: Tamara Petronijevic, University of Nis (tamara.petronijevic@pmf.edu.rs)

Authors:

Tamara Petronijevic, University of Nis  (tamara.petronijevic@pmf.edu.rs)