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Descourvières E, Petruzzellis F, Falace A, Nardini A, Tomasella M. Water relations and photosystem II efficiency of the intertidal macroalga Fucus virsoides. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 215:109000. [PMID: 39106766 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Intertidal macroalgae are sessile poikilohydric organisms exposed to desiccation stress during emersion. Water relations parameters are useful tools to evaluate an organism's capacity to withstand water scarcity conditions, but such information on marine intertidal macroalgae is scarce. We assessed the water relations of the intertidal relict Fucus virsoides, the unique Fucus species endemic to the Mediterranean. We combined measurements of water potential (Ψ) parameters derived from pressure-volume curves and chlorophyll a fluorescence (Fv/Fm) in juvenile and adult thalli sampled in three different dates between March and April 2023. F. virsoides exhibited remarkable water stress tolerance, as evidenced by the low water potential at turgor loss point (Ψtlp, -7.0 MPa on average), and the maintenance of high Fv/Fm at low water potentials indicating a prolonged maintenance of healthy physiological status. While no differences were observed between growth stages, Ψtlp, capacitance (C) and the bulk modulus of elasticity (ε) varied significantly according to the sampling dates, whereas the osmotic potential at full turgor did not significantly change. Ψ measured on thalli collected after a typical prolonged emersion period was markedly lower (-12.3 MPa on average) than the estimated Ψtlp, suggesting that the population is frequently undergoing turgor loss. Further investigations are required to determine environmental tolerance ranges based on water status characteristics to enhance our understanding of F. virsoides responses and vulnerability to climate change, thus providing insight into the possible causes of its widespread decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Descourvières
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Via Beirut 2, 34014 Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Annalisa Falace
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Martina Tomasella
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
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Zhang Y, Chen Z, Li X, Wu X, Chen L, Wang G. Photosynthesis Responses of Tibetan Freshwater Algae Chlorella vulgaris to Herbicide Glyphosate. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:ijerph20010386. [PMID: 36612715 PMCID: PMC9819295 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
With the development of agriculture and the widespread application of agrichemicals in Tibet, herbicide residues have become a threat to the ecological safety of Tibetan water bodies. Algae, as the producers in the food chain in water bodies, play an important role in aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the impact of herbicides on Tibetan algae is of great significance for evaluating ecological health and the protection of Tibetan water ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of glyphosate, a herbicide, on the photosynthetic system of Chlorella vulgaris, Tibetan algae, by determining chlorophyll fluorescence and the activity of an antioxidant system. The results revealed that glyphosate at low concentration did not affect the photosynthetic activity of C. vulgaris; however, glyphosate at a high concentration significantly inhibited photosynthetic activity and reduced pigment content. Moreover, high levels of glyphosate also decreased photochemical efficiency and electron transport rate and resulted in ROS accumulation, high SOD activity, and lipid peroxidation. These results suggested that glyphosate could decrease the primary production of aquatic ecosystems and influence their performance. Therefore, reducing the herbicide levels could protect the Tibetan aquatic environment and maintain the health of ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiao Zhang
- School of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zixu Chen
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- School of Resource & Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xinguo Wu
- School of Resource & Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Lanzhou Chen
- School of Resource & Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Gaohong Wang
- School of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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Effects of Glyphosate-Based Herbicide on Primary Production and Physiological Fitness of the Macroalgae Ulva lactuca. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10080430. [PMID: 36006109 PMCID: PMC9415031 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10080430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) worldwide has increased exponentially over the last two decades increasing the environmental risk to marine and coastal habitats. The present study investigated the effects of GBHs at environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100, 250, and 500 μg·L−1) on the physiology and biochemistry (photosynthesis, pigment, and lipid composition, antioxidative systems and energy balance) of Ulva lactuca, a cosmopolitan marine macroalgae species. Although GBHs cause deleterious effects such as the inhibition of photosynthetic activity, particularly at 250 μg·L−1, due to the impairment of the electron transport in the chloroplasts, these changes are almost completely reverted at the highest concentration (500 μg·L−1). This could be related to the induction of tolerance mechanisms at a certain threshold or tipping point. While no changes occurred in the energy balance, an increase in the pigment antheraxanthin is observed jointly with an increase in ascorbate peroxidase activity. These mechanisms might have contributed to protecting thylakoids against excess radiation and the increase in reactive oxygen species, associated with stress conditions, as no increase in lipid peroxidation products was observed. Furthermore, changes in the fatty acids profile, usually attributed to the induction of plant stress response mechanisms, demonstrated the high resilience of this macroalgae. Notably, the application of bio-optical tools in ecotoxicology, such as pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), allowed separation of the control samples and those treated by GBHs in different concentrations with a high degree of accuracy, with PAM more accurate in identifying the different treatments.
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Gerdol M, Visintin A, Kaleb S, Spazzali F, Pallavicini A, Falace A. Gene expression response of the alga Fucus virsoides (Fucales, Ochrophyta) to glyphosate solution exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 267:115483. [PMID: 32889518 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fucus virsoides is an ecologically important canopy-forming brown algae endemic to the Adriatic Sea. Once widespread in marine coastal areas, this species underwent a rapid population decline and is now confined to small residual areas. Although the reasons behind this progressive disappearance are still a matter of debate, F. virsoides may suffer, like other macroalgae, from the potential toxic effects of glyphosate-based herbicides. Here, through a transcriptomic approach, we investigate the molecular basis of the high susceptibility of this species to glyphosate solution, previously observed at the morphological and eco-physiological levels. By simulating runoff event in a factorial experiment, we exposed F. virsoides to glyphosate (Roundup® 2.0), either alone or in association with nutrient enrichment, highlighting significant alterations of gene expression profiles that were already visible after three days of exposure. In particular, glyphosate exposure determined the near-complete expression shutdown of several genes involved in photosynthesis, protein synthesis and stress response molecular pathways. Curiously, these detrimental effects were partially mitigated by nutrient supplementation, which may explain the survival of relict population in confined areas with high nutrient inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Visintin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Kaleb
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Spazzali
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy; CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale - OGS, Trieste, Italy
| | - Annalisa Falace
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy; CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale - OGS, Trieste, Italy.
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de Caralt S, Verdura J, Vergés A, Ballesteros E, Cebrian E. Differential effects of pollution on adult and recruits of a canopy-forming alga: implications for population viability under low pollutant levels. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17825. [PMID: 33082390 PMCID: PMC7575554 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73990-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine macroalgal forests are highly productive and iconic ecosystems, which are seriously threatened by number of factors such as habitat destruction, overgrazing, ocean warming, and pollution. The effect of chronic, but low levels of pollutants on the long-term survival of the canopy-forming algae is not well understood. Here we test the effects of low concentrations (found in good quality water-bodies) of nitrates, heavy metals copper (Cu) and lead (Pb), and herbicides (glyphosate) on both adults and recruits of Carpodesmia crinita, a Mediterranean canopy forming macroalga. We show that although adult biomass, height and photosynthetic yield remain almost unaffected in all the assays, low Cu levels of 30 µg/L completely suppress adult fertility. In addition, all the assays have a strong and negative impact on the survival and growth of recruits; in particular, glyphosate concentrations above 1 µg/L almost totally inhibit their survival. These results suggest that the long-term viability of C. crinita may be severely compromised by low pollutant levels that are not affecting adult specimens. Our results provide important data for a better understanding of the present-day threats to marine canopy-forming macroalgae and for the design of future management actions aimed at preserving macroalgal forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sònia de Caralt
- GRMAR, Institute of Aquatic Ecology (IEA), University of Girona (UdG), c/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003, Girona, Spain.
| | - Jana Verdura
- GRMAR, Institute of Aquatic Ecology (IEA), University of Girona (UdG), c/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Alba Vergés
- GRMAR, Institute of Aquatic Ecology (IEA), University of Girona (UdG), c/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Enric Ballesteros
- Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), c/ d'accés a la Cala St Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain
| | - Emma Cebrian
- GRMAR, Institute of Aquatic Ecology (IEA), University of Girona (UdG), c/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003, Girona, Spain.
- Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), c/ d'accés a la Cala St Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain.
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Felline S, Del Coco L, Kaleb S, Guarnieri G, Fraschetti S, Terlizzi A, Fanizzi FP, Falace A. The response of the algae Fucus virsoides (Fucales, Ochrophyta) to Roundup® solution exposure: A metabolomics approach. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 254:112977. [PMID: 31377326 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.112977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Glyphosate, as a broad-spectrum herbicide, is frequently detected in water and several studies have investigated its effects on several freshwater aquatic organisms. Yet, only few investigations have been performed on marine macroalgae. Here, we studied both the metabolomics responses and the effect on primary production in the endemic brown algae Fucus virsoides exposed to different concentration (0, 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 mg L-1) of a commercial glyphosate-based herbicide, namely Roundup®. Our results show that Roundup® significantly reduced quantum yield of photosynthesis (Fv/Fm) and caused alteration in the metabolomic profiles of exposed thalli compared to controls. Together with the decrease in the aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine and tyrosine), an increase in shikimate content was detected. The branched-amino acids differently varied according to levels of herbicide exposure, as well as observed for the content of choline, formate, glucose, malonate and fumarate. Our results suggest that marine primary producers could be largely affected by the agricultural land use, this asking for further studies addressing the ecosystem-level effects of glyphosate-based herbicides in coastal waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Felline
- CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy
| | - L Del Coco
- Department of Biology, Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - S Kaleb
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - G Guarnieri
- CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy; Department of Biology, Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - S Fraschetti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80926, Napoli, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - A Terlizzi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - F P Fanizzi
- Department of Biology, Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
| | - A Falace
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
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7
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Mazaris AD, Kallimanis A, Gissi E, Pipitone C, Danovaro R, Claudet J, Rilov G, Badalamenti F, Stelzenmüller V, Thiault L, Benedetti-Cecchi L, Goriup P, Katsanevakis S, Fraschetti S. Threats to marine biodiversity in European protected areas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 677:418-426. [PMID: 31059884 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPAs) represent the main tool for halting the loss of marine biodiversity. However, there is increasing evidence concerning their limited capacity to reduce or eliminate some threats even within their own boundaries. Here, we analysed a Europe-wide dataset comprising 31,579 threats recorded in 1692 sites of the European Union's Natura 2000 conservation network. Focusing specifically on threats related to marine species and habitats, we found that fishing and outdoor activities were the most widespread threats reported within MPA boundaries, although some spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of threats was apparent. Our results clearly demonstrate the need to reconsider current management plans, standardise monitoring approaches and reporting, refine present threat assessments and improve knowledge of their spatial patterns within and outside MPAs in order to improve conservation capacity and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios D Mazaris
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Athanasios Kallimanis
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elena Gissi
- Department of Architecture and Arts, University Iuav of Venice, Tolentini 191, 30135 Venice, Italy
| | - Carlo Pipitone
- CNR-IAS, via Giovanni da Verrazzano 17, 91014 Castellammare del Golfo, Italy
| | - Roberto Danovaro
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80131 Naples, Italy; Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Joachim Claudet
- National Center for Scientific Research, PSL Université Paris, CRIOBE, USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Maison des Océans, 195 rue Saint-Jacques, 75005 Paris, France; Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Gil Rilov
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (ILOR), Haifa 3108001, Israel
| | - Fabio Badalamenti
- CNR-IAS, via Giovanni da Verrazzano 17, 91014 Castellammare del Golfo, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Lauric Thiault
- National Center for Scientific Research, PSL Université Paris, CRIOBE, USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Maison des Océans, 195 rue Saint-Jacques, 75005 Paris, France; Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80131 Naples, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy
| | - Paul Goriup
- NatureBureau, 36 Kingfisher Court, Newbury RG14 5SJ, United Kingdom
| | - Stelios Katsanevakis
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, University Hill, 81100 Mytilene, Greece
| | - Simonetta Fraschetti
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80131 Naples, Italy; CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita' degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Italy
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