PHOTOSYNTHESIS, CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE CHARACTERISTICS, AND CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT OF SOYBEAN SEEDLINGS UNDER COMBINED STRESS OF BISPHENOL A AND CADMIUM

Bisphenol A (BPA) is ubiquitous in the environment because of its continual application in plastics and the epoxy resin industry. Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal element mainly used in smelting, electroplating, and plastic and dye manufacturing. Pollution as a result of BPA and Cd exists simultaneously in many agricultural regions. However, little information is available regarding the combined effects of BPA and Cd on plants. The combined effects of BPA and Cd on the photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chlorophyll content of soybean seedlings were investigated using noninvasive technology. Combined treatment with 1.5mg/L BPA and 0.2mg/L Cd synergistically improved the net photosynthetic rate (P-n), initial fluorescence (F-0), maximal photochemical efficiency (F-v/F-m), effective quantum yield of photosystem II (phi(PSII)), photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETR), and chlorophyll content. Combined treatment with 1.5mg/L BPA and 3.0mg/L Cd increased the F-0 and decreased the P-n, F-v/F-m, phi(PSII), and ETR, whereas BPA and Cd exhibited an antagonistic effect. Furthermore, combined treatment with 17.2/50.0mg/L BPA and 3.0/10.0mg/L Cd synergistically decreased the P-n, F-v/F-m, phi(PSII), ETR, and chlorophyll content, although it increased the F-0. Finally, the effects of BPA and Cd on photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chlorophyll content ceased when BPA stress was stopped. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:2455-2462. (c) 2014 SETAC