Combined effects of 17β-estradiol and copper on growth, biochemical characteristics and pollutant removals of freshwater microalgae Scenedesmus dimorphus.

Contamination by estrogens and heavy metals can cause great environment concern and necessitate efficient approaches for their removals. In this study, the combined effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) and Cu(II) on microalgae growth and biochemical characteristics were investigated. Results showed that 1 mg/L Cu(II) promoted the growth of Scenedesmus dimorphus, while 2 mg/L Cu(II) exhibited growth inhibition, compared with the same concentration of E2. Biochemical characteristics including enzyme activities as well as the contents of chlorophyll, protein and carbohydrate were significantly affected by the coexistence of E2 and Cu(II) after 12 d of cultivation. S. dimorphus exhibited high E2 and Cu(II) removal efficiencies (89.9% of E2 and 76.6% Cu(II) under the coexistence of 0.5 mg/L E2 and 1 mg/L Cu(II), respectively). Lower concentration of Cu(II) might serve as a bridge during E2 removal by S. dimorphus while competitive adsorption of Cu(II) and E2 occurred under the condition of excessive Cu(II). Results could confirm that S. dimorphus was a potential bioresource for the effective removal of E2 and Cu(II).