In this study, phytoremediation potential of the Azolla filiculoides Lam. was examined for sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) anionic surfactant. Furthermore, the effect of surfactant treatment on some physiological characteristics of Azolla was studied. The surfactant bioremoval efficiency was studied under variable conditions including treatment time, initial surfactant concentration, Azolla fresh weight, temperature, and pH. Results showed that surfactant removal efficiency of A. filiculoides was significantly enhanced with increasing of temperature, initial surfactant concentration, and amount of Azolla. SDBS led to a reduction in growth rate and total chlorophyll content, but effect index of Azolla increased by higher concentrations of surfactant. In contrast, antioxidant enzymes activities including polyphenol oxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and peroxidase, as well as nonenzymatic antioxidants such as total carotenoids and anthocyanin contents significantly increased probably due to the ability of plant to overcome oxidative stress induced by SDBS. An increase in antioxidant activity based on 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) confirmed this fact. An increase in the amount of hydrogen peroxide and reduction in membrane stability index indicated the induction of oxidative stress. As a result of SDBS biodegradation, 6 homologs of sulfophenyl carboxylates (SPCs) including C2 to C7-SPC and benzenesulfonate ring were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) analysis.
Keywords: Azolla filiculoides; Biodegradation; Oxidative stress; Phytoremediation; SDBS.