Effect of dissolved organic matter on copper bioavailability to a coastal dinoflagellate at environmentally relevant concentrations

The speciation and bioavailability of copper (Cu) in the marine environment are affected by the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Previous studies conducted at dissolved Cu concentrations >100 nM confirmed that Cu bioavailability depends on the concentration of labile Cu, as measured by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2023-11, Vol.901, p.165989-165989, Article 165989
Main Authors: Barber-Lluch, Esther, Nieto-Cid, Mar, Santos-Echeandía, Juan, Sánchez-Marín, Paula
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biotic ligand model
Metals
Phytoplankton
Voltammetry
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Summary:The speciation and bioavailability of copper (Cu) in the marine environment are affected by the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Previous studies conducted at dissolved Cu concentrations >100 nM confirmed that Cu bioavailability depends on the concentration of labile Cu, as measured by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), which aligns with the expectations of the biotic ligand model (BLM). However, ambient Cu concentrations in coastal waters are generally lower, ranging between 1 and 80 nM, and the effect of DOM on the bioavailability of Cu to marine organisms has not been tested within that range of Cu concentrations. The present study aims to assess the impact of two types of DOM, a commercially available fulvic acid, and marine DOM extracted by ultrafiltration, on Cu bioavailability to phytoplankton using short-term 65Cu internalisation by the marine dinoflagellate Prorocentrum micans. Results showed that Cu internalisation decreases with DOM additions as expected according to the BLM and in agreement with ASV measurements of labile Cu, at the highest tested Cu concentration (100 nM). On the contrary, at a lower Cu concentration (20 nM), organic complexes appear to be partially bioavailable, thereby challenging the general applicability of the BLM model at environmentally relevant concentrations in coastal areas. [Display omitted] •Marine DOM and fulvic acids bind Cu ions and decrease Cu bioavailability.•Cu internalisation depends on labile Cu concentrations at 30 nM or higher.•Organic complexes appear to be partially bioavailable at
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165989