Increasing arsenic accumulation as an implication of climate change: a case study using red algae

Abstract

Climate change due to an increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is a global issue. It can impact aquatic environments by affecting water flow, pollutant transformation and migration, and other toxicant-related effects. We assessed the interactive effects of temperature warming and pH changes on variations in accumulation of total arsenic (As-T) in the red alga Sarcodia suae at different levels of arsenite (As-III). Result showed that As-T variations in the alga were moderated by significant joint effects of warming temperature and/or increasing pH levels and their interactions with increasing As-III concentrations. Our study suggests possible deleterious impacts on macroalgal populations due to toxicological effects associated with prevailing environmental conditions. Therefore, improved pollution management, climate change adaptation, and mitigation strategies are needed to deal with current environmental issues and As aggravation.