The Ability of Airborne Microalgae and Cyanobacteria to Survive and Transfer the Carcinogenic Benzo(a)pyrene in Coastal Regions

Kinga A Wiśniewska; Anita U Lewandowska; Sylwia Śliwińska-Wilczewska; Marta Staniszewska; Gracjana Budzałek

doi:10.3390/cells12071073

The Ability of Airborne Microalgae and Cyanobacteria to Survive and Transfer the Carcinogenic Benzo(a)pyrene in Coastal Regions

Cells. 2023 Apr 2;12(7):1073. doi: 10.3390/cells12071073.

Authors

Kinga A Wiśniewska¹, Anita U Lewandowska¹, Sylwia Śliwińska-Wilczewska^{2

3}, Marta Staniszewska¹, Gracjana Budzałek³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Oceanography, Department of Chemical Oceanography and Marine Geology, University of Gdansk, Av. M. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland.
² Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, 62 York St., Sackville, NB E4L 1E2, Canada.
³ Institute of Oceanography, Division of Marine Ecosystems Functioning, University of Gdansk, Al. M. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland.

Abstract

Air pollution has been a significant problem threatening human health for years. One commonly reported air pollutant is benzo(a)pyrene, a dangerous compound with carcinogenic properties. Values which exceed normative values for benzo(a)pyrene concentration in the air are often noted in many regions of the world. Studies on the worldwide spread of COVID-19 since 2020, as well as avian flu, measles, and SARS, have proven that viruses and bacteria are more dangerous to human health when they occur in polluted air. Regarding cyanobacteria and microalgae, little is known about their relationship with benzo(a)pyrene. The question is whether these microorganisms can pose a threat when present in poor quality air. We initially assessed whether cyanobacteria and microalgae isolated from the atmosphere are sensitive to changes in PAH concentrations and whether they can accumulate or degrade PAHs. The presence of B(a)P has significantly affected both the quantity of cyanobacteria and microalgae cells as well as their chlorophyll a (chl a) content and their ability to fluorescence. For many cyanobacteria and microalgae, an increase in cell numbers was observed after the addition of B(a)P. Therefore, even slight air pollution with benzo(a)pyrene is likely to facilitate the growth of airborne cyanobacteria and microalgae. The results provided an assessment of the organisms that are most susceptible to cellular stress following exposure to benzo(a)pyrene, as well as the potential consequences for the environment. Additionally, the results indicated that green algae have the greatest potential for degrading PAHs, making their use a promising bioremediation approach. Kirchneriella sp. demonstrated the highest average degradation of B(a)P, with the above-mentioned research indicating it can even degrade up to 80% of B(a)P. The other studied green algae exhibited a lower, yet still significant, B(a)P degradation rate exceeding 50% when compared to cyanobacteria and diatoms.

Keywords: PAHs; airborne cyanobacteria; airborne microalgae; benzo(a)pyrene; bioaerosols.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Benzo(a)pyrene
COVID-19*
Carcinogens
Chlorophyll A / metabolism
Chlorophyta* / metabolism
Cyanobacteria* / metabolism
Humans
Microalgae* / metabolism
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons* / metabolism

Substances

Benzo(a)pyrene
Carcinogens
Chlorophyll A
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Grants and funding

This research was funded by BMN, grant number 539-O160-B432-20 and NCN PRELUDIUM 17, grant number UMO-2019/33/N/ST10/00585. The APC was funded by BMN and NCN PRELUDIUM 17.