Physiological responses of Hizikia fusiformis to copper and cadmium exposure
-
Xifeng Zhu
and
Hong Du
Abstract
The brown macroalga Hizikia fusiformis was cultured in media with different copper (Cu) or cadmium (Cd) concentrations for 7 days; physiological indicators were measured to establish the toxic effects of Cu and Cd on this economically important seaweed. Relative growth rate of H. fusiformis was significantly reduced at Cu concentrations of ≥0.05 mg l-1 or Cd ≥4 mg l-1. Chlorophyll a and carotenoid contents increased at low Cu or Cd concentrations, but significantly decreased at 0.25 and 0.50 mg l-1 Cu. Optimal quantum yield, maximum net photosynthetic rate and apparent photosynthetic efficiency were reduced with increasing Cu or Cd concentrations. Malondialdehyde content and the superoxide dismutase activity increased under Cu or Cd stress. Catalase activity also increased at low Cu or Cd concentrations, but significantly decreased at high concentrations. Nitrate reductase activity significantly increased at 0.05 mg l-1 Cu and 4 mg l-1 Cd, but was inhibited at high Cu or Cd concentrations. Thus, both Cu and Cd were physiological stressors for H. fusiformis, with Cu being more toxic than Cd.
©2011 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
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Articles in the same Issue
- Research Article
- Iron released from ilmenite mineral sustains a phytoplankton community in microcosms
- Physiological responses of Hizikia fusiformis to copper and cadmium exposure
- Nitrate uptake and duration of internal nitrogen reserves in the kelp Eisenia arborea
- Characterization and expression patterns of two 70-kDa heat shock protein genes in the intertidal red alga Porphyra yezoensis
- A new method for removing microflora from macroalgal surfaces: an important step for natural product discovery
- Application of response surface methodology to study the influence of hydrothermal processing on phytochemical constituents of the Irish edible brown seaweed Himanthalia elongata
- A multigene phylogenetic assessment of the Dilsea/Neodilsea species complex (Dumontiaceae, Gigartinales) supports transfer of Neodilsea natashae to the genus Dilsea
- First record of the Indo-Pacific seaweed Codium arabicum Kütz. (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) in the Mediterranean Sea
- Decadal-scale changes in the shallow subtidal benthos of an Irish marine reserve
