Phytotoxic effects of microcystins, anatoxin-a and cylindrospermopsin to aquatic plants: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Global warming and eutrophication may lead to increased incidence of harmful algal blooms and related production of cyanotoxins that can be toxic to aquatic plants. Previous studies have evaluated the phytotoxic effects of cyanotoxins on aquatic plants. However, most studies have evaluated only a limited number of plant species and cyanotoxins; there is also considerable variability between studies, which obscures general patterns and hinders understanding of the phytotoxic effects of cyanotoxins. Here, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis by compiling 41 published papers to estimate the phytotoxic effects of anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, and microcystins in 34 species of aquatic plants, with the aim of 1) investigating the phytotoxicity of different cyanotoxins to aquatic plants; 2) determining the aquatic plant species most sensitive to the phytotoxic effects of cyanotoxins; and 3) evaluating the bioaccumulation potential of cyanotoxins in aquatic plants. Most aquatic plants were negatively affected by cyanotoxin exposure and their response was dose-dependent; however, morphological indicators and photosynthesis of certain aquatic plants were marginally stimulated under low concentrations of anatoxin-a and cylindrospermopsin. Anatoxin-a showed the greatest bioaccumulation capacity in aquatic plants compared to cylindrospermopsin and microcystin variants. Bioaccumulation factors of cyanotoxins in aquatic plants generally decreased with increasing water exposure concentrations. Our study supports the One Health goal to manage the risk of public exposure to toxic substances, and indicates that cyanotoxins warrant further investigations in aquatic plants. Environmental managers and public health authorities need to be alert to the long-term exposure and chronic toxicity of cyanotoxins, and the potential trophic transfer of cyanotoxins from aquatic plants to higher-order organisms.

Keywords: Anatoxin-a; Aquatic plants; Bioaccumulation; Cylindrospermopsin; Meta-analysis; Microcystins; Phytotoxicity.