Tarring, Eve C., Robison-Smith, Charlotte, Ceballos-Ramirez, Angel D., Durance, Isabelle  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4138-3349, Harbottle, Michael J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6443-5340, Cable, Jo ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8510-7055 and Ward, Benjamin D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1406-5940
2025.
Toxicity of the water-soluble polymer PVP is dependent on molecular weight and feed concentration for a freshwater model species.
Science of the Total Environment
983
, 179686.
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179686
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Abstract
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a synthetic water-soluble polymer (WSP) that does not readily biodegrade and has been detected in rivers in the mg L−1 range. Whilst previous studies have highlighted sublethal impacts of this chemical on freshwater species, cause of this toxicity remains unclear. The current study investigates how polymer molecular weight impacts the freshwater model species, Daphnia magna. Following OECD 211 guidelines, D. magna were exposed to PVP at levels reflecting those detected in European rivers, where the effect of two different molecular weights of the polymer were compared, both representing sizes commonly used in domestic products (PVP 40 kDa and 360 kDa). Two experiments were performed which differed in algal ration; Experiment 1 followed OECD 211 recommended rationing and Experiment 2 used concentrated algal rations, both assessing D. magna growth, survival and reproduction. No effects of PVP on D. magna were seen when algae rations were high, contrary to the inhibited growth observed for D. magna exposed to PVP 360 kDa, and the lethal effects of PVP 40 kDa when using the OECD recommended ration. Gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis of PVP tank water samples suggests a polymeric structural change occurs only in the presence of D. magna, implying that ingestion of PVP by D. magna causes polymer-algae binding. This polymeric change was not observed when D. magna were absent in an equivalent polymer-algae solution. The findings highlight the need for more research investigating the underlying toxic effects of these polymers to inform chemical legislation as well as the need to accommodate molecular weight in environmental risk assessments.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Biosciences Schools > Chemistry Schools > Engineering |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 0048-9697 |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 4 June 2025 |
| Date of Acceptance: | 13 May 2025 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Jun 2025 12:46 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/178785 |
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