不同Cd2+浓度与硝酸盐浓度、磷酸盐浓度交互作用对杜氏盐藻生长及叶绿素荧光特性的影响

研究了不同Cd2+浓度与硝酸盐浓度、磷酸盐浓度交互作用对杜氏盐藻(Dunaliella salina)生长及叶绿素荧光特性的影响.结果表明,Cd2+浓度与硝酸盐浓度、磷酸盐浓度对杜氏盐藻的光合作用及生长均具有显著影响(P＜0.05)；Cd2+胁迫24 h后,杜氏盐藻的荧光参数Fv/Fm、Fv/Fo、Yield、rETR、细胞密度和叶绿素相对含量均与Cd2+浓度表现为显著的负相关；在低硝酸盐摩尔浓度(55μmol/L)下,杜氏盐藻的荧光参数Fv/Fm、Fv/F.、Yield、rETR、细胞密度和叶绿素相对含量均明显下降；在高硝酸盐摩尔浓度(7 040 μmol/L)下,杜氏盐藻的上述荧光参数下降幅度小；在正常硝酸盐摩尔浓度(880 μmol/L)下,杜氏盐藻荧光参数Fv/Fo、NPQ和叶绿素相对含量均最高,对Cd2+的耐受性更强；在低磷酸盐摩尔浓度(2.27 μmol/L)下,杜氏盐藻的荧光参数(除NPQ外)、细胞密度和叶绿素相对含量均显著低于对照组和高磷处理组,表现为磷限制现象；在离磷酸盐摩尔浓度(290.40 μmol/L)下,杜氏盐藻的荧光参数(除NPQ外)、细胞密度和叶绿素相对含量均明显高于低磷处理组和对照组,杜氏盐藻受Cd2+胁迫程度最小.     

共培养条件下黄菖蒲和狭叶香蒲对铜绿微囊藻光合系统的影响

采用共培养的实验方法,通过测定铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)叶绿素a含量及叶绿素荧光参数,研究了黄菖蒲(Iris pseudacorus L.)和狭叶香蒲(Typha angustifolia L.)对铜绿微囊藻光合系统的影响。结果表明,共培养条件下,黄菖蒲和狭叶香蒲对铜绿微囊藻的光合系统具有明显的化感作用,表现为,处理组中铜绿微囊藻的叶绿素a含量从第4天开始显著(Paried t-test,p0.05)低于对照组;培养过程中,YⅡ(光系统Ⅱ有效量子产量)和Fv/Fm(光系统Ⅱ最大量子产量)值也呈现逐渐下降的趋势,说明黄菖蒲和狭叶香蒲对铜绿微囊藻产生了化感抑制,光合效率和光能转化效率下降;而Ik(半饱和光强)和α(光限制斜率)值呈现先增加后逐渐降低的趋势,从第4天开始显著(Paried t-test,p0.05)低于对照组,表明黄菖蒲和狭叶香蒲的化感作用在短时间内可以激发铜绿微囊藻对光强的耐受能力并能提高藻的光能利用效率,但是随着化感时间的延长,铜绿微囊藻对强光的耐受能力及光能利用效率下降。     

狭叶香蒲活性炭对Cd~(2+)与Pb~(2+)的吸附及机理分析

为了解狭叶香蒲(Typha angustifolia L.)活性炭的吸附性能及其机理,采用磷酸一步活化法制备了狭叶香蒲活性炭,并对其理化性质进行了表征;通过静态实验,研究了溶液起始pH、Cd~(2+)和Pb~(2+)浓度、吸附时间、温度、活性炭剂量对狭叶香蒲活性炭吸附水溶液中Cd~(2+)和Pb~(2+)的影响。狭叶香蒲活性炭对Cd~(2+)和Pb~(2+)的吸附量随溶液起始pH与温度的增加而增加,吸附平衡时间约为10 min;热力学分析表明,吸附过程自发而且吸热,吸附动力学实验结果符合拟二级动力学模型,Langmuir吸附等温模型能更好地拟合狭叶香蒲活性炭对Cd~(2+)的吸附,Pb~(2+)的平衡吸附量与Freundlich模型的拟合性更好。25℃条件下,由Langmuir线性模型拟合得到的Cd~(2+)和Pb~(2+)最大吸附量Qm分别为83.33和116.28 mg/g。狭叶香蒲活性炭的理化性质分析表明,活性炭表面凹凸不平、多孔,比表面积为780.42 m2/g、孔容23.29 m L/g、平均孔径3.14 nm;活性炭含有羟基、磷酸基、CC键等,等电点为3.3。结果表明,狭叶香蒲活性炭是Cd~(2+)和Pb~(2+)吸附的有效吸附剂,吸附过程包括静电吸附、离子交换等。     

不同质量浓度黄莒蒲和狭叶香蒲对铜绿微囊藻的化感作用

分别采用黄菖蒲（IrispseudacorusL．）、狭叶香蒲（TyphaangustifoliaL．）和铜绿微囊藻（Microcystisaeruginosa）共生培养的实验方法研究了不同质量浓度黄菖蒲、狭叶香蒲对铜绿微囊藻的化感作用。结果表明，黄菖蒲在质量浓度大于10g／L时对初始密度为1．0×10^7ind／mL的铜绿微囊藻具有较好的抑制作用，表现为黄菖蒲质量浓度为10、20和40g／L时，第15天对铜绿微囊藻的抑制率分别为30．1％、51．8％和84．0％；狭叶香蒲在质量浓度大于20g／L时对铜绿微囊藻有明显的抑制作用，表现为狭叶香蒲质量浓度为20g／L和40g／L时，第15天对铜绿微囊藻的抑制率分别为34．2％和77．7％，实验过程中，铜绿微囊藻叶绿素a含量逐渐减少，而藻密度、SOD活性及MDA含量先增加后逐渐降低，表明经过一段时间持续地化感胁迫，黄菖蒲和狭叶香蒲可以诱导铜绿微囊藻产生氧化胁迫，导致细胞结构严重损伤和叶绿素大量分解，从而强烈抑制铜绿微囊藻的生长。     

不同质量浓度黄菖蒲和狭叶香蒲对铜绿微囊藻的化感作用简

分别采用黄菖蒲（Iris pseudacorus L.）、狭叶香蒲（Typha angustifolia L.）和铜绿微囊藻（Microcystis aeruginosa）共生培养的实验方法研究了不同质量浓度黄菖蒲、狭叶香蒲对铜绿微囊藻的化感作用。结果表明，黄菖蒲在质量浓度大于10 g/L时对初始密度为1.0×10⁷ ind/mL的铜绿微囊藻具有较好的抑制作用，表现为黄菖蒲质量浓度为10、20和40 g/L时，第15天对铜绿微囊藻的抑制率分别为30.1%、51.8%和84.0%；狭叶香蒲在质量浓度大于20 g/L时对铜绿微囊藻有明显的抑制作用，表现为狭叶香蒲质量浓度为20 g/L和40 g/L时，第15天对铜绿微囊藻的抑制率分别为34.2%和77.7%，实验过程中，铜绿微囊藻叶绿素a含量逐渐减少，而藻密度、SOD活性及MDA含量先增加后逐渐降低，表明经过一段时间持续地化感胁迫，黄菖蒲和狭叶香蒲可以诱导铜绿微囊藻产生氧化胁迫，导致细胞结构严重损伤和叶绿素大量分解，从而强烈抑制铜绿微囊藻的生长。     

磷浓度对海洋小球藻叶绿素荧光及生长的影响

海水富营养化影响微藻生长,引起海洋初级生产力变化.以海洋小球藻(Chlorella sp.)为研究对象,研究不同磷浓度对其叶绿素荧光、细胞密度和色素含量变化的影响,以期找到海洋小球藻最适生长的磷浓度,为富营养条件下微藻生长的研究提供基础资料.结果表明,在培养温度为(22±1) ℃、光照强度为4 000 lx、光暗比为12 h:12 h条件下,不同磷浓度对海洋小球藻叶绿素荧光、细胞密度及色素含量影响显著,最大光能转化效率(Fv/Fm)、潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、实际光能转化效率(ΦPSⅡ)和电子传递速率(ETR)均呈先升后降的趋势,3.62 μmol/L处理组显著低于其他各组,434.52 μmol/L处理组一直处在较高水平.说明海洋小球藻的光合作用对高磷的适应范围较广,但对低磷浓度培养反应敏感.非光化学淬灭(qN)的值,3.62 μmol/L处理组高于其他各组.从细胞密度和色素含量的变化可以看出,36.21 μmol/L处理组最高,434.52、3.62 μmol/L处理组均低于36.21 μmol/L处理组.海洋小球藻生长的最适磷摩尔浓度为36.21 μmol/L.     

木炭填料生物反应器对微囊藻毒素的去除

为了研究自然水体中产毒藻细胞和微囊藻毒素(MC)的迁移转化机理,以经济实用的木炭为填料的柱状反应器对含微囊藻和MC的自然水进行了分阶段连续性去除实验。结果表明,当进水叶绿素a(chl-a)浓度为94.9~203.4μg/L,MC浓度为4.5~24.7μg/L时,藻细胞(以chl-a浓度为指标)的去除率高于77.1%,MC的去除率高于66.2%。不同阶段的结果比较发现,HRT为6.8 h时去除效果最佳。反应器中,原生动物和后生动物大量存在,以钟型虫(Vorticella sp.)、草履虫(Paramecrum sp.)、旋轮虫(Philodina sp.)和腔轮虫(Lecane sp.)为主要物种。实时荧光定量PCR分析结果表明,可降解MC细菌的特异性基因(mlr A)被检出。由此说明,除木炭填料的物理吸附外,微型浮游动物的捕食及细菌降解对水中藻细胞和MC的去除也起重要作用。     

3种沉水植物对再生水水质维护效果的比较

为了防止再生水利用时出现富营养化现象,选用苦草(Vallisneria natans(Lour.)Hara)、金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum demersum L.)和穗状狐尾藻(Myriophyllum spicatum L.)3种沉水植物,配合投加鲢鱼(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)和椭圆背角无齿蚌(Anadonta woodiana elliptica),对再生水水质进行维护,对比不同组合对再生水的净化和保持效果。结果表明:金鱼藻能较好维护再生水的水质稳定,实验中后期COD、氨氮分别在30、0.4mg/L以下,而且金鱼藻可较好地抑制浮游植物的生长,叶绿素a基本都小于叶绿素a水华阈值(40μg/L),同时鲢鱼和椭圆背角无齿蚌的投加能完善生态系统,并维护再生水pH的稳定。     

镉胁迫对向日葵幼苗生长和生理特性的影响

采用溶液培养方法,研究了不同浓度镉(0、0.05、0.1、0.5和1 mg/L)处理7 d对向日葵幼苗生长和生理特性的影响。结果表明：随着镉处理浓度的增加，向日葵幼苗对镉的吸收显著增加。1 mg/L镉浓度处理时，叶、茎和根中镉浓度分别为0.05 mg/L镉处理时的16.3、19.2和581倍；根中积累的镉含量明显高于叶和茎, 各浓度根部积累的镉分别为叶和茎的37.8～63倍和29.4～41倍。镉胁迫显著抑制向日葵幼苗生长和叶绿素合成，当镉浓度达1 mg/L时，整株植物生物量和总叶绿素含量分别为对照的55.9%和52.6%。镉胁迫下向日葵幼苗游离脯氨酸和丙二醛（MDA）含量显著增加，1 mg/L镉浓度时，根中含量分别为对照的4和5.8倍。向日葵幼苗可溶性蛋白含量和过氧化物酶(POD)活性变化与镉胁迫浓度呈明显的倒U字型关系，可溶性蛋白含量在0.05 mg/L镉浓度时达到最大值，叶、茎、根中的POD活性分别在0.1、0.1和0.05 mg/L镉浓度时达到最大值。     

小型富营养水体光合有效辐射衰减特性分析

以小型富营养水体上海崇明中心湖为研究对象,分析了春、夏、秋、冬4季典型晴朗日光合有效辐射(PAR)衰减规律.结果表明,中心湖PAR衰减系数(Kd)变动范围为2.46～13.74 m<'+1>,具有明显的季节变化;冬季Kd相对最小,Kd变动范围为2.46～4.10 m-1;秋季Kd相对最大,Kd变动范围为9.56～13.74 m-1.中心湖Kd与溶解性有机碳(DOC)、悬浮颗粒物(SS)和叶绿素a(Chl-a)浓度间满足以下关系:Kd=0.94+0.29cDOC+0.039cSS+32.5c,其中cDOC为DOC质量浓度,Mg/L;cSS为SS质量浓度,mg/L;cChl-a为Chl-a质量浓度,mg/L.影响PAR衰减的主要消光因子是DOC和SS,渔业养殖是造成中心湖DOC、SS浓度高的主要原因.     

Sensitivity analyses of woody species exposed to air pollution based on ecophysiological measurements

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Air pollution has been of a major problem in the Pearl River Delta of south China, particularly during the last two decades. Emissions of air pollutants from industries have already led to damages in natural communities and environments in a wide range of the Delta area. Leaf parameters such as chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf area (LA), dry weight (DW) and leaf mass per area (LMA) had once been used as specific indexes of environmental stress. This study aims to determine in situ if the daily variation of chlorophyll fluorescence and other ecophysiological parameters in five seedlings of three woody species, Ilex rotunda, Ficus microcarpa and Machilus chinensis, could be used alone or in combination with other measurements for sensitivity indexes to make diagnoses under air pollution stress and, hence, to choose the correct tree species for urban afforestation in the Delta area. METHODS: Five seedlings of each species were transplanted in pot containers after their acclimation under shadowing conditions. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were made in situ by a portable fluorometer (OS-30, Opti-sciences, U.S.A). Ten random samples of leaves were picked from each species for LA measurements by area-meter (CI-203, CID, Inc., U.S.A). DW was determined after the leaf samples were dried to a constant weight at 65 degrees C. LMA was calculated as the ratio of DW/LA. Leaf N content was analyzed according to the Kjeldhal method, and the extraction of pigments was carried out according Lin et al. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The daily mean Fv/Fm (Fv is the variable fluorescence and Fm is the maximum fluorescence) analysis showed that Ilex rotunda and Ficus microcarpa were more highly resistant to pollution stress, followed by Machilus chinensis, implying that the efficiency of photosystem II in I. rotunda was less affected by air pollutants than the other two species. Little difference in daily change of Fv/Fm in I. rotunda between the polluted and the clean site was also observed. However, a relatively large variation of Fv/Fm appeared in the other two species, particularly in M. chinensis, suggesting that they were more sensitive to air pollutants than I. rotunda. The mean LA was reduced for all species growing at the polluted site. The mean LMA for all species exceeded the sclerophylly threshold given by Cowling and Campbell and increased for those under pollution stress, which could be explained as one of the acclimation strategies for plants to air pollution stress. Little difference in leaf chlorophyll content was observed in F. microcarpa and M. chinensis, while remarkable differences were found in I. rotunda growing at the polluted and the clean site. Content of leaf carotenoids was largely reduced in I. rotunda growing at the polluted site, but increased in F. microcarpa and M. chinensis, compared with plants growing at the clean site. Plants growing at the clean site had a lower leaf N content than those growing at the polluted site. In addition, species with a higher resistance to pollution stress showed less difference in leaf N content than those sensitive species. CONCLUSION: Based on Fv/Fm measurements of the three woody species, I. rotunda showed the highest resistance to air pollutants from ceramic industries, followed by F. microcarpa. M. chinensis was the most sensitive species to air pollution, had lowest capacities to cope with the air pollution stress, which was consistent with visual injury symptoms observed in the crown profiles of plants at the polluted site. Fv/Fm, LAM, LA, leaf pigments and N content could be used alone or in combination to diagnose the extent of the physiological injury. The ratio of Fv/Fm, however, was the best and most effective parameter. RECOMMENDATION AND OUTLOOK: Tree species which have higher air-pollutant resistance, as diagnosed by such ecophysiological parameters, should be considered first and planted widely for urban afforestation or forest regeneration in areas where the forest was seriously degraded or forest health was markedly effected by the same kind of air pollutants.     

Subcellular distribution and toxicity of cadmium in Potamogeton crispus L

The submerged macrophyte Potamogeton crispus L. was subjected to varying doses of cadmium (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 μM) for 7 d, and the plants were analyzed for subcellular distribution of Cd, accumulation of mineral nutrients, photosynthesis, oxidative stress, protein content, and ultrastructural distribution of calcium (Ca). Leaf fractionation by differential centrifugation indicated that 48-69% of Cd was accumulated in the cell wall. At all doses of Cd, the levels of Ca and B rose and the level of Mn fell; the levels of Fe, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mo, and P rose initially only to decline later. Exposure to Cd caused oxidative stress as evident by increased content of malondialdehyde and decreased contents of chlorophyll and protein. Photosynthetic efficiency, as indicated by the quenching of chlorophyll a fluorescence (Fv/Fm, Fo and Fm), decreased significantly, the extent of decrease being directly proportional to the concentration of Cd. Increased amounts of precipitates of calcium were noticed in the treated plants, located either outside the cell membrane or in chloroplasts, mitochondria, the nucleus, and the cytoplasm whereas control plants showed small deposits of the precipitates around surface of the vacuole membrane and in the intercellular space but rarely in the cytoplasm. Photosynthetic efficiency and oxidative stress could be used as indicators of physiological end-points in determining the extent of Cd phytotoxicity.     

Response of Quercus pubescens leaves exposed to geothermal pollutant input in southern Tuscany (Italy)

The paper reports a case of evident and widespread leaf damage on trees in southern Tuscany (Central Italy) attributed to the input of pollutants produced in a geothermal area. The main potentially phytotoxic substances are boron and hydrogen sulphide. Trees affected are conifers as well as both evergreen and deciduous broadleaves. In the present study the possible impact of geothermal pollutants on Quercus pubescens leaves has been considered. Leaf samples coming from three sampling locations (S1 inside the geothermal area; S2 on the margins; S3 outside) and three consecutive dates (June, July and August) were analyzed for the following parameters: sulphur and boron concentration; leaf area; leaf mass per area; chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm); chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid concentrations. Anatomical and ultrastructural observations were also performed. In all sampling location sulphur and boron concentrations are greater than the background values recorded in southern Tuscany in a previous survey. The sulphur concentration in leaves was higher in S1 than S2 and S3, but did not increase throughout the survey period. Boron reached the greatest concentrations in S2 and showed a continuous increase over the study period. Leaves subjected to a higher load of pollutants were smaller in size (in terms of leaf area), but were more sclerophyllous. Damaged chloroplasts and reduced Fv/Fm values were observed at S1 and S2, but chlorophyll concentration values were higher at S1. Such an apparent anomaly can possibly be explained by the onset of compensation and recovery mechanisms. Foliar injuries appeared to be related to boron concentration.     

Avoidance of toxic mixing zones by Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in the limed River Audna, southern Norway

Chlorophyll a (chl a) fluorescence was used to determine the effects of treatments with gaseous HF or aqueous solutions of NaF on the photosynthetic apparatus of spinach prior to the appearance of visible injury. Placing the petioles in 2 mM NaF for 3 h resulted in the accumulation of 240 ppm F in leaf blades. The second oldest leaves of spinach plants accumulated similar concentrations (270 ppm F) when the plants were exposed to gaseous HF at 5 microg F m(-3) for 6 days. These NaF and HF treatments did not result in visible injury nor did they affect Fo, Fm or Fv/Fm. However, during the slow (>2 s) induction kinetics, fluorescence quenching in fluoride-treated leaves increased during the P to S phase and the M peak was no longer resolved. This was due, in part, to increased photochemical quenching. The results are consistent with a reduced ability to develop or maintain a trans-thylakoid proton gradient in chloroplasts containing elevated concentrations of F.     

Acute toxicity of excess mercury on the photosynthetic performance of cyanobacterium, S. platensis--assessment by chlorophyll fluorescence analysis

Measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence has been shown to be a rapid, non-invasive, and reliable method to assess photosynthetic performance in a changing environment. In this study, acute toxicity of excess Hg on the photosynthetic performance of the cyanobacterium S. platensis, was investigated by use of chlorophyll fluorescence analysis after cells were exposed to excess Hg (up to 20 microM) for 2 h. The results determined from the fast fluorescence kinetics showed that Hg induced a significant increase in the proportion of the Q(B)-non-reducing PSII reaction centers. The fluorescence parameters measured under the steady state of photosynthesis demonstrated that the increase of Hg concentration led to a decrease in the maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry, the efficiency of excitation energy capture by the open PSII reaction centers, and the quantum yield of PSII electron transport. Mercury also resulted in a decrease in the coefficients of photochemical and non-photochemical quenching. Mercury may have an acute toxicity on cyanobacteria by inhibiting the quantum yield of photosynthesis sensitively and rapidly. Such changes occurred before any other visible damages that may be evaluated by other conventional measurements. Our results also demonstrated that chlorophyll fluorescence analysis can be used as a useful physiological tool to assess early stages of change in photosynthetic performance of algae in response to heavy metal pollution.     

Effect of the herbicide flumioxazin on photosynthetic performance of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

Among the herbicides used in vineyards, the pre-emergence soil-applied flumioxazin (fmx) is a recently used molecule that inhibits chlorophyll biosynthesis in weed species. The aim of this work is to further characterize the effects of fmx on the non-target grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay) using cutting as a model. Several photosynthesis parameters were estimated during 25 days after treatment with various fmx concentrations (from 0.5mM to 50mM). Measuring chlorophyll fluorescence it appeared that fmx or a by-product penetrated the plant throughout roots and spread throughout vessels. Besides the initial target, protox, fmx affected other functions related to photosynthesis. Fmx induced a simultaneous drop of both P(n), g(s) and T. Fmx caused stomatal closure, which partially explains the decrease of the net photosynthesis. The decline in F(v)/F(m) indicates that the photochemistry of PSII and its ability to reduce the primary acceptor Q(A) are also affected by fmx in grapevine. Fmx leads to a decrease in the coefficients of both photochemical and non-photochemical quenching. Simultaneous stomatal closure and decrease in the quantum yield of CO(2) assimilation indicate a change in energy metabolism following fmx stress. After ten days of fmx treatment, analyses of the response of net carbon assimilation in leaves to different intercellular CO(2) concentrations have shown a decrease of the maximum carboxylation velocity of RuBP. Stomatal closure, PSII photochemistry, change in energy metabolism and RuBP activity were affected by fmx treatment.     

Alteration of chromium effect on photosystem II activity in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cultures under different synchronized state of the cell cycle

The inhibitory effect of chromium (Cr) on photosystem II (PSII) activity was investigated in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii during different phases of the cell cycle. Algae were cultivated in continuous light or a light/dark cycle (16:8 h) to obtain a synchronously dividing cell culture. The cell division phases were determined with the DNA-specific fluorescent probe SYBR green using flow cytometry. The effect of Cr on PSII activity was investigated after a 24-h treatment with algal cultures having different proportions of newly divided cells (G₀/G₁), dividing cells at the DNA replication phase (S), and dividing cells at the mitosis phase (G₂/M). Using chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters based on PSII electron transport capacity in dark- (Φ_MII) and light-adapted (Φ′_MII) equilibrium state, we found that the effect of Cr differs depending on the stage of the cell cycle. When algal cultures had a high proportion of cells actively dividing (M phase), the toxic effect of Cr on PSII activity appeared to be much higher and PSII quantum yield was decreased by 80 % compared to algal cultures mainly in the G₀/G₁ phase. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of Cr on photosynthesis appears to be different according to the cell cycle state of the algal population.     

Evaluation of fluoranthene phytotoxicity in pea plants by Hill reaction and chlorophyll fluorescence

The effect of both increased concentrations (0.01 and 1 mg l(-1)) of fluoranthene (FLT) and the duration of exposure (18 and 25 days) on the growth and photosynthetic processes in pea plants (Pisum sativum L., cv. Garde) was investigated. FLT concentration in roots and shoot of pea plants was also determined. The obtained results demonstrated that the higher concentration of FLT (1 mg l(-1)) significantly inhibited the growth of the pea plants after 25 days of the application, also affected the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids), and the primary photochemical processes of photosynthesis. In chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, the significant increase of F(0) values and the decrease of F(V)/F(M) and Phi(II) values was recorded. The Hill reaction of isolated chloroplasts of pea plants was significantly inhibited after 25 days by presence of FLT (0.01 and 1 mg l(-1)) in nutrient solution, while after 18 days no significant response of Hill reaction activity was recorded. The fluoranthene content in roots and shoot of pea plants increased with increasing FLT concentration in the environment and the substantial accumulation of FLT was observed in the roots.     

Brassinosteroid alleviates phenanthrene and pyrene phytotoxicity by increasing detoxification activity and photosynthesis in tomato

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of exogenously applied 24-epibrassinolide (BR) on growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems of tomato seedlings grown under different levels (0, 10, 30, 100 and 300 μM) of phenanthrene (PHE) and pyrene (PYR) in hydroponics. A concentration-dependent decrease in growth, photosynthetic pigment contents, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), maximal quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), effective quantum yield of PSII (Φ_PSII), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) has been observed following PHE and PYR exposure. By contrast, non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) was increased. PHE was found to induce higher stress than PYR. However, foliar or root application of BR (50 nM and 5 nM, respectively) alleviated all those depressions with a sharp improvement in the activity of photosynthetic machinery. The activities of guaicol peroxidase (GPOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) as well as content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased in a dose-dependent manner under PHE or PYR treatments. Compared with control the highest increments of GPOD, CAT, APX, GR and MDA by PHE/PYR alone treatments were observed following 300 μM concentration, which were 67%, 87%, 53%, 95% and 74% by PHE and 42%, 53%, 30%, 86% and 62% by PYR, respectively. In addition, both reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were induced by PHE or PYR. Interestingly, BR application in either form further increased enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants in tomato roots treated with PHE or PYR. Our results suggest that BR has an anti-stress effect on tomato seedlings contaminated with PHE or PYR and this effect is mainly attributed by increased detoxification activity.     

Toxicity and removal of pesticides by selected aquatic plants

Pesticides are being detected in water bodies on an increasingly frequent basis. The present study focused on the phytoremediation potential of selected aquatic plants to remove phytosanitary products from contaminated water. We investigated the uptake capacity of Lemna minor (L. minor), Elodea canadensis (E. canadensis) and Cabomba aquatica (C. aquatica) on three pesticides: copper sulphate (fungicide), flazasulfuron (herbicide) and dimethomorph (fungicide). Pesticide toxicity was evaluated by exposing plants to five concentrations (0-1 mg L(-1)) in culture media for 7d using chlorophyll fluorescence as a biomarker. The toxicity of the contaminants was the same for all the aquatic plants studied and occurred in this descending order of toxicity: flazasulfuron>copper>dimethomorph. We found that L. minor had the most efficient uptake capacity, followed by E. canadensis and then C. aquatica. The maximum removal rate (microg g(-1)fresh weight d(-1)) of copper, flazasulfuron and dimethomorph was 30, 27 and 11, respectively.