PJB-2018-176
Impact of Heavy Metal Lead on Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Coralline Algae from Dapeng Bay, China
NIE Lei
Abstract
Coralline algae have received more and more attention due to the capacity of secreting calcium carbonate skeletons and key roles to the construction of reef structure. In the context of global change, the globally distributed benthic primary producers have been considered as one of the most important factors to the protection of reef ecosystems though potential vulnerability of their calcite skeletons under the dramatic changes in the world. However, little is known on the effects of human-induced metal pollution on marine calcifying organisms up till now. For the purpose of understanding the coralline algae responding to heavy metal, we carried on an experimental study by exposing Corallina officinalis to different levels of lead (Pb) concentrations, in order to see the physiological and biochemical responses. The main results are as follows: Under the conditions of increased Pb2+ concentration, the relative growth rate（RGR）decreased significantly comparing with that under the control. Lead treatment also reduced the contents of photosynthetic pigments (Chla, Carotenoid and PE). With the concentration of heavy metals in seawater increasing, the permeability of cell membrane and the content of MDA were increased gradually, showed that the capacity of anti-oxidant was also inhibited. The content of extracellular polysaccharides increased at first and then decreased as concentration of Pb increases, while the content of intracellular polysaccharides continuously going low. The changes of radical scavenging capacity in extracellular polysaccharides showed a similar first increased-then decreased trend. This study suggests lead pollution has a conclusive significant negative impact on the growth and physiological activity of Coralline algae, thus providing an useful information in the case of marine heavy metal pollution control for the protection and restoration of the coral reef ecosystem.
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