Oil sands surface mining generates vast quantities of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) as a by-product of bitumen extraction. The acid extractable organic (AEO) fraction of OSPW contains several contaminants, including naphthenic acids (NAs). While responses of living organisms to NA and AEO exposure have been described at the developmental, physiological, metabolic and gene expression levels, the effects of these compounds at the cellular and subcellular level are limited. Using live cell fluorescence microscopy and a suite of fluorescent marker proteins, we studied the intracellular responses of the plant cell cytoskeleton and several membrane-bound organelles to NA and AEO treatments. A rapid disassembly of cortical microtubules and a decrease in dynamics associated with actin filaments was observed in response to these treatments. Concomitantly, the integrity and dynamics of mitochondria, peroxisomes, Golgi stacks, and endoplasmic reticulum were also altered. AEO treatments were the most toxic to cells and resulted in the accumulation reactive oxygen species. This study provides foundational evidence for intracellular responses to NA and AEO exposure using two evolutionarily diverse model plant cell types. This cellular assay could be used to identify the most toxic components of AEO sub-fractions, and assist in determining the effectiveness of OSPW remediation efforts.

油砂地表开采会产生大量的油砂，是沥青提取的副产品，会受到工艺影响的水（OSPW）。OSPW的酸可萃取有机（AEO）馏分包含多种污染物，包括环烷酸（NAs）。虽然已经在发育，生理，代谢和基因表达水平上描述了活生物体对NA和AEO暴露的反应，但这些化合物在细胞和亚细胞水平上的作用是有限的。使用活细胞荧光显微镜和一套荧光标记蛋白，我们研究了植物细胞骨架和一些膜结合细胞器对NA和AEO处理的细胞内反应。响应这些治疗，观察到皮质微管的快速拆卸和与肌动蛋白丝相关的动力学下降。同时，线粒体，过氧化物酶体，高尔基体和内质网的完整性和动力学也发生了变化。AEO处理对细胞毒性最大，并导致活性氧的积累。这项研究为使用两种进化上不同的模型植物细胞类型的细胞内对NA和AEO暴露的反应提供了基础证据。该细胞测定法可用于鉴定AEO亚组分的最具毒性的成分，并有助于确定OSPW修复工作的有效性。这项研究为使用两种进化上不同的模型植物细胞类型的细胞内对NA和AEO暴露的反应提供了基础证据。该细胞测定法可用于鉴定AEO亚组分的最具毒性的成分，并有助于确定OSPW修复工作的有效性。这项研究为使用两种进化上不同的模型植物细胞类型的细胞内对NA和AEO暴露的反应提供了基础证据。该细胞测定法可用于鉴定AEO亚组分的最具毒性的成分，并有助于确定OSPW修复工作的有效性。