Inorganic nitrogen metabolism inUlva rigida illuminated with blue light

Inorganic nitrogen metabolism in blue light was studied for the green algaUlva rigida C. Agardh collected in the south of Spain (Punta Carnero, Algeciras) in the winter of 1987. NH₄ ⁺ has been reported to inhibit NO₃ ^- uptake; however,U. rigida showed a net NO₃ ^- uptake even when the NH₄ ⁺ concentration of the external medium was three or four times greater than the concentration of NO₃ ^-. NO₃ ^- uptake rates were similar in both darkness and in blue light of various photon fluence rates (PFR) ranging from 17 to 160 mol m^-2 s^-1. Since NO₃ ^- uptake is an active mechanism involving the consumption of ATP, respiratory metabolism can provide enough ATP to maintain the energetic requirement of NO₃ ^- transport even in darkness. In contrast, NO₃ ^- reduction inU. rigida was highly dependent on the net photosynthetic rate. After 7 h in blue light, intracellular NO₃ ^- concentrations ([NO₃ ^-] _i ) were higher in specimens exposed to intensities below the light compensation point (LCP) than in those incubated at a PFR above the LCP. When PFR is below the light compensation point, NO₃ ^- reduction is low, probably because all the NADH produced by the cells is oxidized in the respiratory chain in order to produce ATP to maintain a steady NO₃ ^- transport rate. The total nitrogen (TN) and carbon (TC) contents decreased from darkness to 33 mol m^-2 s^-1 in blue light. In this range, catabolic processes prevailed over anabolic ones. In contrast, increases in TN and TC contents were observed above the light compensation point. The C : N ratio increased with light intensity, reaching a stable value of 17 at 78 mol m^-2 s^-1 in blue light. Intracellular NO₃ ^- concentration and NO₃ ^- reduction appear to be directly controlled by light intensity. This external control of [NO₃ ^-]_i and the small capacity ofU. rigida to retain incorporated NO₃ ^-, NO₂ ^- and NH₄ ⁺ ions may explain its nitrophilic character.     

Evaluation of Water Quality in the Chillán River (Central Chile) Using Physicochemical Parameters and a Modified Water Quality Index

The Chillán River in Central Chile plays a fundamental role in local society, as a source of irrigation and drinking water, and as a sink for urban wastewater. In order to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of surface water quality in the watershed, a Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated from nine physicochemical parameters, periodically measured at 18 sampling sites (January–November 2000). The results indicated a good water quality in the upper and middle parts of the watershed. Downstream of the City of Chillán, water quality conditions were critical during the dry season, mainly due to the effects of the urban wastewater discharge. On the basis of the results from a Principal Component Analysis (PCA), modifications were introduced into the original WQI to reduce the costs associated with its implementation. WQI_DIR2 and WQI_DIR, which are both based on a laboratory analysis (Chemical Oxygen Demand) and three (pH, temperature and conductivity), respectively, four field measurements (pH, temperature, conductivity and Dissolved Oxygen), adequately reproduce the most important spatial and temporal variations observed with the original index. They are proposed as useful tools for monitoring global water quality trends in this and other, similar agricultural watersheds in the Chilean Central Valley. Possibilities and limitations for the application of the used methodology to watersheds in other parts of the world are discussed.     

Field Trial Assessment of Biological,Chemical, and Physical Responses of Soil to Tillage Intensity,Fertilization, and Grazing

Soil microbial populations can fluctuate in response to environmental changes and, therefore, are often used as biological indicators of soil quality. Soil chemical and physical parameters can also be used as indicators because they can vary in response to different management strategies. A long-term field trial was conducted to study the effects of different tillage systems (NT: no tillage, DH: disc harrow, and MP: moldboard plough), P fertilization (diammonium phosphate), and cattle grazing (in terms of crop residue consumption) in maize (Zea mays L.), sunflower (Heliantus annuus L.), and soybean (Glycine max L.) on soil biological, chemical, and physical parameters. The field trial was conducted for four crop years (2000/2001, 2001/2002, 2002/2003, and 2003/2004). Soil populations of Actinomycetes, Trichoderma spp., and Gliocladium spp. were 49% higher under conservation tillage systems, in soil amended with diammonium phosphate (DAP) and not previously grazed. Management practices also influenced soil chemical parameters, especially organic matter content and total N, which were 10% and 55% higher under NT than under MP. Aggregate stability was 61% higher in NT than in MP, 15% higher in P-fertilized soil, and also 9% higher in not grazed strips, bulk density being 12% lower in NT systems compared with MP. DAP application and the absence of grazing also reduced bulk density (3%). Using conservation tillage systems, fertilizing crops with DAP, and avoiding grazing contribute to soil health preservation and enhanced crop production.     

Transfer of pesticides to the brew during mate drinking process and their relationship with physicochemical properties

In order to evaluate the extraction of pesticide residues that are transferred to the brew during mate drinking process of P.U.1 yerba mate leaves (Ilex paraguariensis), a special device to simulate the way in which mate is drunk in Uruguay was developed. The transfer to the brew of 12 organophosphates, 5 synthethic pyrethroids and one organochlorine pesticide from spiked samples was studied. The relationship between the transfer data thus obtained and physicochemical properties like water solubility (Ws), octanol-water coefficient (Kow) and Henry's constant (H) was evaluated. The extractability of the pesticide residues from yerba mate can be correlated with log Ws and log Kow. These transfer values allowed the calculation of ARLs (acceptable residue level) for the pesticides following Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organizaion (WHO) guidelines. These results can help the future establishment of maximum residue levels (MRLs)     

Transfer of pesticides to the brew during mate drinking process and their relationship with physicochemical properties

In order to evaluate the extraction of pesticide residues that are transferred to the brew during mate drinking process of P.U.1 yerba mate leaves (Ilex paraguariensis), a special device to simulate the way in which mate is drunk in Uruguay was developed. The transfer to the brew of 12 organophosphates, 5 synthethic pyrethroids and one organochlorine pesticide from spiked samples was studied. The relationship between the transfer data thus obtained and physicochemical properties like water solubility (Ws), octanol-water coefficient (Kow) and Henry's constant (H) was evaluated. The extractability of the pesticide residues from yerba mate can be correlated with log Ws and log Kow. These transfer values allowed the calculation of ARLs (acceptable residue level) for the pesticides following Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organizaion (WHO) guidelines. These results can help the future establishment of maximum residue levels (MRLs).     

Nitrate-reductase activity and in vivo nitrate-reduction rate in Ulva rigida illuminated by blue light

In the marine green alga Ulva rigida C. Agardh, nitrate reductase (NR) is synergetically induced by blue light and nitrate. The present study examines the effect of blue light and a large NO ₃ ^– pulse (0.3 mM) on relevant variables of NO ₃ ^– -assimilation such as NO ₃ ^– -uptake, intracellular NO ₃ ^– -storage, NR activity, in vivo NO ₃ ^– -reduction rate and NO ₂ ^– and NH ₄ ⁺ -accumulation. Nitrate uptake started immediately upon addition of NO ₃ ^– , suggesting the presence of a constitutive carrier, however in the first 1.5 to 2 h, periods of net NO ₃ ^– efflux were frequent. After this time, NO ₃ ^– -uptake and intracellular NO ₃ ^– -accumulation proceeded linearly with time, suggesting the existence of a different NO ₃ ^– -uptake mechanism, which seems to be inducible. Our results indicate that in vivo NO ₃ ^– -reduction is not exclusively dependent on the potential NR activity. In U. rigida, during the first 2 h after a NO ₃ ^– pulse (300 M) there were clear indications that the induction state of the NO ₃ ^– -carrier limits the reduction rate of NO ₃ ^– . Once the induction of the NO ₃ ^– -transporter had been completed (1.5 to 2 h), the NO ₃ ^– -assimilation pathway reached a steady state, NO ₃ ^– -uptake rate, NO ₃ ^– -reduction rate and NO ₂ ^– and NH ₄ ⁺ -accumulation being linear with time. Since the reduction of NO ₃ ^– leads mainly to the accumulation of NH ₄ ⁺ , we conclude that, after the NO ₃ ^– -reduction itself, NH ₄ ⁺ -fixation into carbon skeletons is the limiting step in the assimilation of NO ₃ ^– by U. rigida under blue light.     

Diel migration of phytoplankton and spectral light field in the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain)

Diel migration of Mesodinium rubrum, Eutreptiella sp., Scrippsiella trochoidea, Dinophysis acuminata and Ceratium furca throughout a 24 h cycle is described for a stable, well-stratified estuary (Ría de Vigo, NW Spain). Daily changes in light quantity and in spectral light ratios i.e. red:far-red, blue:red, green:red and blue:green have been analysed. The spectral light ratios changed at twilight and around noon at various depths. Some of the downward migrations were well predicted by Stokes' law, while other migrations were faster and deeper than calculated. The coincidence of these movements with abrupt changes in red:far-red, green:red and blue:green light ratios is discussed. Some species are able to migrate through the pycnocline, whereas others do not seem to be able to do so. Several species are present in maximum numbers at depth at night, while others display upward migration independent of light, suggesting the existence of endogenous rhythms. Upward migration at dusk began with dispersal of populations, with renewed aggregation at the sea surface coincident with an increase in the red:far-red ratio at 6 m and the green:red ratio at 6 and 10 m. Based on direct evidence for the control of flagellar mobility by light quality reported by other authors from laboratory studies, it is suggested that, together with other cues, spectral light ratios of different light qualities modulate vertical phytoplanktonic migration. Received: 18 July 1997 / Accepted: 17 October 1997     

Phytoextraction of Pb,Cr, Ni,and Zn using the aquatic plant Limnobium laevigatum and its potential use in the treatment of wastewater

In order to study the bioaccumulation of Pb, Cr, Ni, and Zn and the stress response, the floating aquatic plant Limnobium laevigatum was exposed to increasing concentrations of a mixture of these metals for 28 days, and its potential use in the treatment of wastewater was evaluated. The metal concentrations of the treatment 1 (T1) were Pb 1 μg L⁻¹, Cr 4 μg L⁻¹, Ni 25 μg L⁻¹, and Zn 30 μg L⁻¹; of treatment 2 (T2) were Pb 70 μg L⁻¹, Cr 70 μg L⁻¹, Ni 70 μg L⁻¹, and Zn 70 μg L⁻¹; and of treatment 3 (T3) were Pb 1000 μg L⁻¹, Cr 1000 μg L⁻¹, Ni 500 μg L⁻¹, and Zn 100 μg L⁻¹, and there was also a control group (without added metal). The accumulation of Pb, Cr, Ni, and Zn in roots was higher than in leaves of L. laevigatum, and the bioconcentration factor revealed that the concentrations of Ni and Zn in the leaf and root exceeded by over a thousand times the concentrations of those in the culture medium (2000 in leaf and 6800 in root for Ni; 3300 in leaf and 11,500 in root for Zn). Thus, this species can be considered as a hyperaccumulator of these metals. In general, the changes observed in the morphological and physiological parameters and the formation of products of lipid peroxidation of membranes during the exposure to moderate concentrations (T2) of the mixture of metals did not cause harmful effects to the survival of the species within the first 14 days of exposure. Taking into account the accumulation capacity and tolerance to heavy metals, L. laevigatum is suitable for phytoremediation in aquatic environments contaminated with moderated concentrations of Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the early stages of exposure.

     

Alkaline phosphatase activity in marine macrophytes: histochemical localization in some widespread species in southern Spain

Alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) was determined in 44 species of marine macrophytes collected throughout 1991 and 1992 along the southern coast of Spain. Activity varied between 0.83 mol paranitrophenol (pNP) released g^-1 dry wt h^-1 in Ulva rigida var. gigantea and 238.8 mol pNP g^-1 dry wt h^-1 in Bangia fuscopurpurea. Using a histochemical method, APA sites were located in five of these species: Corallina elongata Ellis et Soland, Gelidium latifolium (Grev.) Thur. et Born., G. sesquipedale (Clem.) Born. et Thur., Porphyra umbilicalis (L.) Kützing and Zostera noltii Hornem. Enzymatic activity was found in the outer part of the thallus, either on the cell wall or in the cortical cells. In the marine phanerogam Z. noltii activity was also located in the vascular bundle. The results suggest that APA is present in many, if not all, marine macrophytes from southern Spain, and plays a relevant role in the utilization of dissolved organic phosphorus compounds.