Physiological and enzymatic responses of Chlorella vulgaris exposed to produced water and its potential for bioremediation

In South America, Colombia is known as an important oil-producing country. However, the environmental impact of crude oil industry has not been studied deeply and few studies have been carried out for evaluating responses of algae and its adaptation under specific conditions. Enzymatic and physiological effects in Chlorella vulgaris and its potential for bioremediation after exposure to produced water (PW) were assessed using different PW concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) and crude oil. Variables such as cell density, growth rate (μ), percentage of growth inhibition (% I), chlorophyll a and b and cell diameter were evaluated during 5 days. Furthermore, enzymatic biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also measured. Results showed that the treatment with 100% PW had the highest cell density and μ; similarly, 25% PW treatment had a similar behaviour, being these two treatments with the highest growth. A dose-dependent response was seen for chlorophyll a and b and cell diameter, showing significant differences between treatments and the control. Different levels of SOD and CAT were observed in algae exposed to PW. At 24 h, an increase in SOD and CAT activity was observed, probably due to effects caused by xenobiotics. After 72 h, a decrease in the activity of both enzymes was observed. The results evidenced that C. vulgaris can adapt easily to PW, showing an increase on its growth and stabilisation in its antioxidant activity. Additionally, cell diameter results and decrease of hydrocarbons and phenols show the potential of these algae to degrade xenobiotics from PW.