The endocrine disruptor nonylphenol induces sublethal toxicity in vascular plant development at environmental concentrations: A risk for riparian plants and irrigated crops?
In recent years, there is a growing concern among the scientific community about the presence of the so-called emergent pollutants in waters of different countries, especially endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) that have the ability to alter the hormonal system. One of the substances found almost ubiquitously and in higher concentrations is the alkylphenol nonylphenol. Albeit this compound is included in priority lists as a probable risk for human health and the environment, little is known about its effects on developing plants. The aim of this work is to assess the acute and sub-chronic toxicity of environmental concentrations of nonylphenol in riparian vascular plant development using spores of the fern Polystichum setiferum and a biomarker-based approach: mitochondrial activity (cell viability), chlorophyll (plant physiology) and DNA content (growth). Mitochondrial activity and DNA content show that nonylphenol induces acute and sub-chronic toxicity at 48 h and after 1 week, respectively. Significant effects are observed in both parameters in fern spores at ng L(-1) but chlorophyll autofluorescence shows little changes. The inhibition of germination by natural allelochemicals has been reported to be related with the active hydroxyl group of phenolic compounds and largely independent of the structural nucleus to which it is attached. Results presented in this study suggest that environmental concentrations of nonylphenol could interfere with higher plant germination development by mimicking natural allelochemicals and/or phytohormones acting as a "phytoendocrine disruptor" likely posing ecophysiological risks.
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health Science, Rey Juan Carlos University, C/Atenas s/n, E-28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain; Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health Research Group (Toxamb), Rey Juan Carlos University, C/ Tulipán s/n, E-28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: segn82@gmail.com.
S
S
Esteban
Biology and Geology, Physics and Analytical Chemistry, Rey Juan Carlos University, C/Tulipán s/n, E-28933, Mostóles, Madrid, Spain.
P M
PM
Llamas
Biology and Geology, Physics and Analytical Chemistry, Rey Juan Carlos University, C/Tulipán s/n, E-28933, Mostóles, Madrid, Spain.
H
H
García-Cortés
Biology and Geology, Physics and Analytical Chemistry, Rey Juan Carlos University, C/Tulipán s/n, E-28933, Mostóles, Madrid, Spain.
M
M
Catalá
D002734:Chlorophyll; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D029624:Ferns / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D010636:Phenols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D063245:Plant Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D010636:Phenols; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002734:Chlorophyll; C025256:nonylphenol
Allelochemical; Biomarker; Ecotoxicology; Fern spore; Micropollution; Phytotoxicity