Evaluation of Holmium(III), Erbium(III), and Gadolinium(III) Accumulation by Cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis Using Neutron Activation Analysis and Elements' Effects on Biomass Quantity and Biochemical Composition

• Published in: Microorganisms (Basel) 2024-01, Vol.12 (1), p.122
• Main Authors: Zinicovscaia, Inga, Cepoi, Liliana, Rudi, Ludmila, Chiriac, Tatiana, Grozdov, Dmitrii
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Activation analysis; Antioxidants; Aquatic environment; Arthrospira platensis; Bioaccumulation; Biochemical composition; Biomass; Biomolecules; Carbohydrates; Carotene; Chlorophyll; Communication; Composition; Culture media; Cyanobacteria; Erbium; Gadolinium; Holmium; Lipids; Neutron activation analysis; Neutrons; Phycobiliproteins; Rare earth elements; Toxicity; β-Carotene
• ISSN: 2076-2607; 2076-2607
• DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010122

Rare-earth elements are released into the aquatic environment as a result of their extensive use in industry and agriculture, and they can be harmful for living organisms. The effects of holmium(III), erbium(III), and gadolinium(III) when added to a growth medium in concentrations ranging from 10 to 30 mg/L on the accumulation ability and biochemical composition of were studied. According to the results of a neutron activation analysis, the uptake of elements by cyanobacteria occurred in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of gadolinium(III) to the growth medium did not significantly affect the amount of biomass, whereas erbium(III) and holmium(III) reduced it up to 22% compared to the control. The effects of rare-earth elements on the content of proteins, carbohydrates, phycobiliproteins, lipids, β carotene, and chlorophyll were evaluated. The studied elements had different effects on the primary biomolecule content, suggesting that holmium(III) and erbium(III) were more toxic than Gd(III) for .