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Urban ecosystems are subjected to multiple anthropogenic stresses, which impact aquatic communities. Artificial light at night (ALAN) for instance can significantly alter the composition of algal communities as well as the photosynthetic cycles of autotrophic organisms, possibly leading to cellular oxidative stress. The combined effects of ALAN and chemical contamination could increase oxidative impacts in aquatic primary producers, although such combined effects remain insufficiently explored. To address this knowledge gap, a one-month experimental approach was implemented under controlled conditions to elucidate effects of ALAN and dodecylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride (DDBAC) on aquatic biofilms. DDBAC is a biocide commonly used in virucidal products, and is found in urban aquatic ecosystems. The bioaccumulation of DDBAC in biofilms exposed or not to ALAN was analyzed. The responses of taxonomic composition, photosynthetic activity, and fatty acid composition of biofilms were examined. The results indicate that ALAN negatively affects photosynthetic yield and chlorophyll production of biofilms. Additionally, exposure to DDBAC at environmental concentrations induces lipid peroxidation, with an increase of oxylipins. This experimental study provides first insights on the consequences of ALAN and DDBAC for aquatic ecosystems. It also opens avenues for the identification of new biomarkers that could be used to monitor urban pollution impacts in natural environments., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aquatic ecosystems and their communities are exposed to numerous stressors of various natures (chemical and physical), whose impacts are often poorly documented. In urban areas, the use of biocides such as dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (DDBAC) and their subsequent release in wastewater result in their transfer to urban aquatic ecosystems. DDBAC is known to be toxic to most aquatic organisms. Artificial light at night (ALAN) is another stressor that is increasing globally, especially in urban areas. ALAN may have a negative impact on photosynthetic cycles of periphytic biofilms, which in turn may result in changes in their metabolic functioning. Moreover, studies suggest that exposure to artificial light could increase the biocidal effect of DDBAC on biofilms. The present study investigates the individual and combined effects of DDBAC and/or ALAN on the functioning and structure of photosynthetic biofilms. We exposed biofilms in artificial channels to a nominal concentration of 30 mg.L -1 of DDBAC and/or ALAN for 10 days. ALAN modified DDBAC exposure, decreasing concentrations in the water but not accumulation in biofilms. DDBAC had negative impacts on biofilm functioning and structure. Photosynthetic activity was inhibited by > 90% after 2 days of exposure, compared to the controls, and did not recover over the duration of the experiment. Biofilm composition was also impacted, with a marked decrease in green algae and the disappearance of microfauna under DDBAC exposure. The integrity of algal cells was compromised where DDBAC exposure altered the chloroplasts and chlorophyll content. Impacts on autotrophs were also observed through a shift in lipid profiles, in particular a strong decrease in glycolipid content was noted. We found no significant interactive effect of ALAN and DDBAC on the studied endpoints., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)