Inhibition growth effect of sunscreen UV filters on the freshwater microalga Scenedesmus acutus
Abstract
As the use of personal cosmetic care products (PCCPs) with organic ultraviolet (UV) filters are increasing, so is the exposure risk of these compounds to aquatic ecosystems. This study focuses on the inhibition growth effect of 4 common UV filters found in PCCPs on the freshwater microalga, Scenedesmus acutus. Fluorescence of chlorophyll was used as a measure of growth during a 96-h exposure period, and growth inhibition was utilized as the endpoint. All UV filters inhibited growth with increasing concentration, except for avobenzone and octisalate, which did not decrease reproduction at any treatment level up to water solubility. Lowest observed effect concentrations without UV light for atrazine, oxybenzone, and homosalate were 117 ug/L, 1875 ug/L, and 100 ug/L, respectively. Homosalate was the most toxic followed by oxybenzone with avobenzone and octisalate likely to be not toxic to S. acutus. The results from this study indicated that emissions of these UV filters into waterways could have harmful effects on biota.