Attenuation of photosynthetically available radiation by chlorophyll, chromophoric dissolved organic matter, and tripton in lake Donghu, China

The attenuation coefficient of photosynthetically available radiation [K-d(PAR)] and three water quality parameters [chlorophyll a (chl a)], chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and tripton] were measured at three stations in shallow, subtropical Lake Donghu from April 2003 to March 2004. The multiple regression equation of K-d(PAR) versus chl a, CDOM, and tripton was: K-d(PAR) = 0.44 + 0.019 chl a + 1.88 CDOM + 0.016 tripton, which revealed the relative contributions of the three parameters to K-d(PAR). The effects of water and CDOM on K-d(PAR) were of minor importance (19-26%), while chl a and tripton were the two greatest contributors, accounting collectively for 74-81%.

Impacts of elevated CO2 concentration on biochemical composition, carbonic anhydrase, and nitrate reductase activity of freshwater green algae

To investigate the biochemical response of freshwater green algae to elevated CO2 concentrations, Chlorella pyrenoidosa Chick and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dang cells were cultured at different CO2 concentrations within the range 3-186 μ mol/L and the biochemical composition, carbonic anhydrase (CA), and nitrate reductase activities of the cells were investigated. Chlorophylls (Chl), carotenoids, carbonhydrate, and protein contents were enhanced to varying extents with increasing CO2 concentration from 3-186 μ mol/L. The CO2 enrichment significantly increased the Chl a/Chl b ratio in Chlorella pyrenoidosa, but not in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The CO2 concentration had significant effects on CA and nitrate reductase activity. Elevating CO2 concentration to 186 μ mol/L caused a decline in intracellular and extracellullar CA activity. Nitrate reductase activity, under either light or dark conditions, in C. reinhardtii and C. pyrenoidosa was also significantly decreased with CO2 enrichment. From this study, it can be concluded that CO2 enrichment can affect biochemical composition, CA, and nitrate reductase activity, and that the biochemical response was species dependent.

Effects of polyaluminum chloride and copper sulfate on phosphorus and UV254 under different anoxic levels

Experimental sediments and water from shallow, eutrophic Dianchi Lakes were treated in a controlled laboratory microcosm using different chemicals under different anoxic levels. This study revealed that the polyaluminum chloride (PAC) was able to inhibit the phosphorus release and decrease the UV254 value at any anoxic level. When the DO concentrations were between 0.76-0.95 mg(.) L-1, the UV(254)value, total phosphorus (TP), and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) in the water column were decreased by 71.93%, 87.12% and 64.24% respectively. The UV254, TP, and TDP were also decreased by 72.94%, 70.87% and 50.76% respectively at the levels of 4.56-5.32mg(.)L(-1) of DO concentrations. The treatment effects of TP and TDP in the water column using copper sulfate however were not as efficient as the PAC treatment. The UV254 value was increased with the addition of copper sulfate at every anoxic level tested but the chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) content was decreased rapidly and efficiently by copper sulfate more than the treatment by PAC. When the DO concentrations were 0.76-0.86mg(.)L(-1) and 4.75-5.14mg(.)L(-1), the Chl-a concentrations were decreased by 84.87% and 75.07% respectively through copper sulfate treatment. With additions of PAC and copper sulfate, the phosphorus fractions in sediments were shifted forward to the favorable shapes that have little ability of release. The TP concentrations in sediments were increased after treatment via PAC and copper sulfate. Under anoxic conditions, most of the BD-P (Fe-P) to NaOH-P (Al-P) was converted using the recommended PAC dose in BD-P rich sediment. Similar to the PAC, the copper sulfate also could flocculate the exchange phosphorus from sediment to overlying water. Overall though, the effects of copper sulfate treatment were not better than that of the PAC.

Positive effects of continuous low nitrate levels on growth and photosynthesis of Alexandrium tamarense (Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae)

The growth and photosynthesis of Alexandrium tamarense (Lebour) Balech in different nutrient conditions were investigated. Low nitrate level (0.0882 mmol/L) resulted in the highest average growth rate from day 0 to day 10 (4.58 x 10(2) cells mL(-1) d(-1)), but the lowest cell yield (5420 cells mL(-1)) in three nitrate level cultures. High nitrate-grown cells showed lower levels of chlorophyll a-specific and cell-specific light-saturated photosynthetic rate (P-m(chl a) and P-m(cell)), dark respiration rate (R-d(chl a) and R-d(cell)) and chlorophyll a-specific apparent photosynthetic efficiency (alpha(chl a)) than was seen for low nitrate-grown cells; whereas the cells became light saturated at higher irradiance at low nitrate condition. When cultures at low nitrate were supplemented with nitrate at 0.7938 mmol/L in late exponential growth phase, or with nitrate at 0.7938 mmol/L and phosphate at 0.072 mmol/L in stationary growth phase, the cell yield was drastically enhanced, a 7-9 times increase compared with non-supplemented control culture, achieving 43 540 cells mL(-1) and 52 300 cells mL(-1), respectively; however, supplementation with nitrate in the stationary growth phase or with nitrate and phosphate in the late exponential growth phase increased the cell yield by no more than 2 times. The results suggested that continuous low level of nitrate with sufficient supply of phosphate may facilitate the growth of A. tamarense.

Photosynthetic physiology and growth as a function of colony size in the cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides

Algal size can affect the rate of metabolism and of growth. Different sized colonies of Nostoc sphaeroides were used with the aim of determining the effects of colony size on photosynthetic physiology and growth. Small colonies showed higher maximum photosynthetic rates per unit chlorophyll, higher light saturation point, and higher photosynthetic efficiency (a) than large colonies. Furthermore, small colonies had a higher affinity for DIC and higher DIC-saturated photosynthetic rates. In addition, small colonies showed higher photosynthetic rates from 5-45degreesC than large colonies. There was a greater decrease in Fv/Fm after exposure to high irradiance and less recovery in darkness for large colonies than for small colonies. Relative growth rate decreased with increasing colony size. Small colonies had less chl a and mass per unit surface area. The results indicate that small colonies can harvest light and acquire DIC more efficiently and have higher maximum photosynthetic rates and growth rates than large colonies.

Variations and possible source of potentially available phosphorus in a Chinese shallow eutrophic lake

Surface, overlying, and interstitial waters were collected at monthly intervals at three experimental stations in a shallow Chinese eutrophic lake (Lake Donghu) to assess the occurrence, distribution, and status of UV-sensitive phosphorus compounds (UVSP) and phosphatase hydrolyzable phosphorus (PHP), coupled with kinetics of alkaline phosphatase activity (APA). Orthophosphate (o-P) concentrations were generally the highest at Station 1, where chlorophyll a (chl a) was a function of o-P at temporal scale. The V-max/K-m of APA obtained by Michaelis-Menten approach paralleled the chlorophyll data at two stations. These facts imply that the development of phytoplankton may be attributed to APA induced by PHP. The potentially available UVSP and PHP peaked in interstitial, overlying, and surface water simultaneously sometimes in 1995 to 1996 and 1997 to 1999. It is postulated that they may arise from the bottom. UVSP peaked in interstitial water at the 12-16 cm layers in sediment cores. Moreover, in interstitial water, UV irradiation resulted in an elevated o-P concentration and decreased APA in a timeseries analysis. Therefore, the mechanism that APA involved in the process of photorelease of o-P was not demonstrated. UVSP is most likely a functional group of labile phosphorus distinct from the enzymatic substrate in this shallow eutrophic lake.

Effects of cadmium on chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency, and photosynthetic intensity of Canna indica Linn.

The effects of cadmium (Cd2+) on growth status, chlorophyll (Chl) content, photochemical efficiency, and photosynthetic intensity were studied on Canna indica Linn. Plant specimens that were produced from a constructed wetland and precultivated hydroponically in 20 L of 1/10 Hoagland solution under greenhouse conditions for I week were exposed to cadmium in concentrations of 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 mg L- Cd2+, respectively. The results show that leaves were injured in the Cd2+ solution by the third day of exposure and the injury became more serious with an increase in the applied heavy metal. Under 3.2 mg L-1 Cd2+ treatment, growth retardation, the decrease of chlorophyll content from 0.70 to 0.43 mg g(-1) FW, and a decrease in Chl a/b ratio from 2.0 to 1.2 were observed. Chl a was more sensitive than Chl b to Cd2+ stress. The decrease was the same with photochemical efficiency. Photosynthetic intensity decreased by 13.3% from 1.5X10(4) mumol m(-2)s(-1) CO2 in control to 1.3x10(4) mumol m(2)s(-1) CO2 in the treatment of 3.2 mg L-1. Because Canna species are used in heavy metal phytoremediation, these results show that C. indica can tolerate 0.4 to 0.8 mg L-1 Cd2+. Therefore, it is a potential species for phytoremediation of cadmium with some limitations only at higher concentrations.

Effects of CO2 enrichment on the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanophyceae): Physiological responses and relationships with the availability of dissolved inorganic carbon

Microcystis aeruginosa Kutz. 7820 was cultured at 350 and 700 muL.L-1 CO2 to assess the impacts of doubled atmospheric CO2 concentration on this bloom-forming cyanobacterium. Doubling Of CO2 concentration in the airflow enhanced its growth by 52%-77%, with pH values decreased and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) increased in the medium. Photosynthetic efficiencies and dark respiratory rates expressed per unit chl a tended to increase with the doubling of CO2. However, saturating irradiances for photosynthesis and light-saturated photosynthetic rates normalized to cell number tended to decrease with the increase of DIC in the medium. Doubling of CO2 concentration in the airflow had less effect on DIC-saturated photosynthetic rates and apparent photosynthetic affinities for DIC. In the exponential phase, CO2 and HCO3- levels in the medium were higher than those required to saturate photosynthesis. Cultures with surface aeration were DIC limited in the stationary phase. The rate of CO2 dissolution into the liquid increased proportionally when CO2 in air was raised from 350 to 700 muL.L-1, thus increasing the availability of DIC in the medium and enhancing the rate of photosynthesis. Doubled CO2 could enhance CO2 dissolution, lower pH values, and influence the ionization fractions of various DIC species even when the photosynthesis was not DIC limited. Consequently, HCO3- concentrations in cultures were significantly higher than in controls, and the photosynthetic energy cost for the operation of CO2 concentrating mechanism might decrease.

Long-term changes in crustacean zooplankton and water quality in a shallow, eutrophic Chinese lake densely stocked with fish

From surveys made in 1962-1963, 1973-1974, 1979-1996 at two Stations in Lake Donghu, a shallow eutrophic water body near Wuhan, P. R. China, the authors, derive long-term changes in species composition, standing crop and body-size of planktonic crustaceans. The species number decreased from the 1960s to the 1990s. The cladocerans dropped from 46 (1960s) to 26 (1980s) to 13 (1990s); the copepods decreased from 14 (1960s) to 10 (1980s) to 7 (1990s). From the mid-1980s on, the dominant crustaceans also changed: Daphnia hyalina and D. carinata ssp. were replaced by Moina micrura and Diaphanosoma brachyurum at Stations 1 and 2, respectively; Cyclops vicinus replaced Mesocyclops leuckarti. Densities and biomass of Cladocera decreased markedly after 1987. Annual average densities and biomass of cladocerans were statistically differences between 1962-1986 and 1987-1996 (P < 0.01). Annual average densities of Daphnia (Station 1 + Station 2) were negatively correlated with fish yield. Since the 1980s, annual average body length of Cladocera and Calanoida decreased, while annual average body length of Cyclopoida increased. In the same years, average body length of copepods was lower during May-October than during January-April and November-December. A 12-yr data analysis showed annual average concentration of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) to be negatively correlated with annual average density of Daphnia, whilst lake transparency was positively correlated with annual average densities of Daphnia. The results imply that, since Daphnia feeds efficiently on phytoplankton, it could decrease concentration of Chl-a, and enhance water transparency.

Seasonal variation in kinetic parameters of alkaline phosphatase activity in a shallow Chinese freshwater lake (Donghu Lake)

Seasonal variation of the kinetic parameters of total alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) was studied in a shallow Chinese freshwater lake (Donghu Lake). At the three experimental stations the values of V-max of APA were higher and the negative correlation between orthophosphate and the total APA specific activity (V-max/Chl.) was stronger during summer (from June to September) P depletion. At the same time, the values of Michaelis constant (K-m) of APA at the three stations decreased. Phytoplankton seem to compensate for their phosphorus deficiency not only by an increase in enzyme production but also by an improved ability to use low substrate concentrations. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

PLANKTON AND SESTON STRUCTURE IN A SHALLOW, EUTROPHIC SUBTROPICAL CHINESE LAKE

The seasonal dynamics in the nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll-a amount (Chl-a), total algal volume (CV), Chl-a/CV ratio, seston structure were studied at two sampling stations in a shallow, highly eutrophicated subtropic lake (the Guozheng Hu area of the East Lake) on the plain of the middle basin of the Chang Jiang (the Yangtze River) of China. The lake ecosystem of the Guozheng Hu area is dominated by two planktivorous fishes (silver carp and bighead carp), phytoplankton and zooplankton. Macrophytes are extremely scarce in this area. Concentrations of the total dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus in the Guozheng Hu area in 1990 were very high. Fish yield, of which, more than 90 % was composed of silver carp and bighead carp in the Guozheng Hu area was very high (ca. 1140 kg/ha or 45.6 g/m3 in 1990). Grazing pressure by the fishes on the plankton community is considered to be rather strong. The annual average biomass of zooplankton was ca. 1/3 - 1/2 that of phytoplankton. On the average, dry matter in the living plankton only constituted ca. 3-7 % of the total dry seston, and plankton carbon only constituted ca. 5 - 10 % of the seston carbon. The present results indicate that, in the Guozheng Hu area of the East Lake, of the organic part of the seston, detritus is quantitatively an important constituent, while living plankton is only a very small component.

Research on the ultrafast fluorescence property of thylakoid membranes of the wild-type and mutant rice

A high yielding rice variety mutant (Oryza sativa L., Zhenhui 249) with low chlorophyll b (Chl b) has been discovered in natural fields. It has a quality character controlled by a pair of recessive genes (nuclear gene). The partial loss of Chl b in content affects the efficiency of light harvest in a light harvest complex (LHC), thus producing the difference of the exciting energy transfer and the efficiency of photochemistry conversion between the mutant and wild-type rice in photosynthetic unit. The efficiency of utilizing light energy is higher in the mutant than that in the wildtype rice relatively. For further discussion of the above-mentioned difference and learning about the mechanism of the increase in the photochemical efficiency of the mutant, the pico-second resolution fluorescence spectrum measurement with delay-frame-scanning single photon counting technique is adopted. Thylakoid membranes of the mutant and the wild-type rice are excited by an Ar+ laser with a pulse width of 120 ps, repetition rate of 4 MHz and wavelength of 514 nm. Compared with the time and spectrum property of exciting fluorescence, conclusions of those ultrafast dynamic experiments are: 1) The speeds of the exciting energy transferred in photo-system I are faster than that in photo-system II in both samples. 2) The speeds of the exciting energy transfer of mutant sample are faster than those of the wildtype. This might be one of the major reasons why the efficiency of photosynthesis is higher in mutant than that in the wild-type rice.

土壤干旱对2个种源野生酸枣幼苗生长和生理特性的影响

以采自陕西杨陵和安塞的2个1年生酸枣幼苗为材料,采用盆栽称重控水法研究了中度和重度土壤干旱胁迫对它们生长和生理特性的影响。结果表明,不同程度的水分胁迫均使2种源酸枣新生侧枝长度受到极显著抑制,其苗高和基径也受到一定程度抑制,同时分别使叶片相对含水量和水分饱和亏有一定程度的降低和升高;2种源酸枣叶片的叶绿素a含量在各水分胁迫均极显著降低,它们的总叶绿素含量也在重度干旱下显著降低;随土壤干旱胁迫时间的延续,2种源酸枣叶片保护酶SOD、CAT、APX活性上下波动,其脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量逐渐升高,而超氧阴离子含量在较低水平下波动,丙二醛含量逐渐降低。杨陵酸枣在土壤水分较好的条件下表现良好,而安塞酸枣则具有更强的适应旱生能力。研究发现,在不同程度的土壤干旱胁迫下,2个种源酸枣的生长均受到一定程度的抑制,但它们均能调节自身的保护酶系统活性和渗透调节物质含量来减轻干旱伤害,维持植物体的正常生理代谢功能,表现出较强的抗旱耐旱能力。

典型PPCPs的生态毒理效应与强化处理技术

人类长期且大量的使用药品及个人护理用品（PPCPs），使其持续不断地输入环境，导致它们在环境中的残留浓度日益增加，并对人类和其他生物产生了不良的生态毒理效应。本文以四种典型PPCPs（对乙酰氨基酚、土霉素、三氯生、佳乐麝香）为研究对象，采用常规的毒理学实验方法，研究了它们对小麦种子发芽、根伸长的急性毒性，以及低浓度长期暴露对小麦幼苗叶绿素（CHL）、可溶性蛋白（SP）、过氧化物酶（POD）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）等生理生化特性的影响。由于PPCPs具有生态风险性，而传统的水处理工艺却不能有效的将这些物质去除。因此，开发更多的新技术以强化处理PPCPs，使它们在环境中残留的浓度尽可能降低是一项很重要的工作。本研究以零价铁处理有机物的原理为依据，自制铁铜双金属复合物，研究了其对PPCPs溶液的处理效果及影响因素，并对整个过程中的反应机理进行了初探。实验结果表明： 实验浓度下，四种PPCPs与小麦根长及芽长抑制率之间具有良好的剂量-效应关系。根据线性回归方程计算的EC50可知，不同种类的PPCPs对小麦种子发芽的毒性大小不同，而且小麦的芽及根部对不同PPCPs胁迫的敏感部位不同。对乙酰氨基酚、土霉素、三氯生对小麦根长的抑制较芽长显著，它们的EC50分别为668.8 mg/L、34.7 mg/L和147.8mg/L；而佳乐麝香对小麦芽长的抑制更为显著，EC50为143.4 mg/L。实验浓度范围内，四种PPCPs对小麦种子的发芽率均没有显著的抑制作用。四种PPCPs暴露21天后，2.8～22.4 mg/L对乙酰氨基酚、0.15～2.4 mg/L土霉素以及0.2～3.0 mg/L三氯生和佳乐麝香显著抑制小麦叶片/根部中的CHL和SP，而且使POD和SOD酶活性降低或上升，从而打破抗氧化系统的动态平衡；暴露21天内对CHL、SP、POD和SOD等含量在不同PPCPs胁迫下的变化趋势具有各自的特点。 以零价铁降解有机物的原理为依据，自制了铁铜双金属复合体系，以强化处理PPCPs溶液。电子扫描显微镜（SEM）及X-衍射（XRD）分析得出铁铜复合物（FeCu/Cu2O）由Fe、Cu及Cu2O组成。与零价铁相比，FeCu/Cu2O显著提高了对PPCPs的去除效果，主要是由于Cu的存在扩大了反应的电极电位差，即增加了Fe-Cu之间的外加阳极电流，从而加速Fe的阳极溶解，产生更多的高活性物质以更好的去除PPCPs。溶解氧是影响FeCu/Cu2O对PPCPs处理效果的重要因素，它们可以在FeCu/Cu2O表面获得电子后生成O2-，形成类Fenton体系。此外，由于Cu2O的光化学活性，光照也可以强化FeCu/Cu2O对PPCPs的处理效果。不同的反应条件下体系内的pH值及自由基的产生量不同。根据实验现象及相关的经典理论，本文对FeCu/Cu2O处理PPCPs的作用机理进行了初探，认为整个反应过程包括Fe的还原反应、Cu2O的光催化反应、Fe-Cu微电解反应以及絮凝过程等。

远紫外辐射对紫杉幼苗针叶膜脂过氧化及内源保护系统的影响

为了探讨远紫外辐射对植物的损伤机理和紫杉的濒杉机制，本文就远紫外辐射对紫杉幼苗针叶膜脂过氧化及内源保护物质的影响进行了模拟研究，初步得到如下结果：UV-C 辐射紫杉针叶离体叶绿体可使膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛（MDA）含量增加，类胡萝卜素含量和光系统II（PS II）电子传递少性下降。UV-BC 辐射紫杉幼苗针叶可使叶绿体超氧离子自由基（O~-_2)，单线态氧（~O_2)，针叶有机自由基产额和H_2O_2含量有不同程度增加。针叶MDA，组织自动氧化速率及质膜相对透性也随辐射时间进程面增加。UV-BC处理初期超氧化物歧化酶（SOD），过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性及谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量均被诱导增高，21d后SOD活性开始下降，而GSH 含量和CAT活性始终高于对照。维生素C（ASA），类胡萝卜素（Car)，叶绿素（chl），PS II 电子传递活性在处理期间始终呈下降趋势，其中ASA下降最明显。可溶性蛋白21d前变化不大，之后开始下降。外源活性氧清除剂苯甲酸钠和抗坏血酸对针叶膜脂过氧化有抑制作用；甲基紫精和DDC 对针叶膜脂过氧化有促进效果。根据上述结果推测，紫杉的UV-BC伤害可能是由于活性氧产生过剩和清除系统水平下降，而引起的膜脂过氧化损伤。