Multispecies assessment of polyvinylpyrrolidone toxicity: genotoxic, physiological and growth responses on freshwater biota

Water-soluble synthetic polymers are widely used in industrial and consumer applications, yet their potential effects on aquatic biota remain poorly characterised. This study investigated the ecotoxicological effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on three freshwater bioindicator species representing different trophic roles: the amphipod Echinogammarus veneris and the aquatic macrophytes Lemna minor and Spirodela polyrhiza . Amphipods were exposed for 24 h to nominal PVP concentrations of 1–50 mg L -1 , and DNA damage, pleopod beat frequency and total glutathione content were assessed. Duckweeds were exposed for 7 days to nominal concentrations of 5–50 mg L -1 PVP, and biometric, chlorophyll fluorescence and spectral reflectance parameters were measured. The tested range spans from concentrations measured in wastewater treatment plant effluents to worst-case scenarios. In E. veneris , both Tail Moment and % tail DNA indicated significant DNA damage at 10 and 50 mg L -1 . No significant change was detected at 1 and 5 mg L -1 . Pleopod beat frequency increased significantly at 10 and 50 mg L -1 , indicating altered ventilatory activity whereas total glutathione content did not differ significantly among treatments. In duckweeds, PVP induced minor but statistically significant changes in selected growth and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, although no consistent concentration-dependent toxicity was observed in either duckweed species. Only limited, species-specific changes in spectral indices were detected, mainly in S. polyrhiza at the highest PVP concentrations. Overall, the results reveal marked differences in sensitivity among freshwater organisms, with the amphipod showing DNA damage and altered ventilatory activity after short-term exposure, while both duckweed species remained comparatively tolerant. These findings highlight the importance of multispecies approaches and sublethal endpoints in assessing the environmental effects of water-soluble polymers on freshwater ecosystems.