Growth, Concentration Chlorophyll-a, and Structure of Macroalgae Gracilaria edulis in the Culture Media Containing Copper

Abstract

The physiological responses (specific growth rate, concentration of chlorophyll-a, morphological and anatomical structure of the vegetative cells) of the marine macroalga Gracilaria edulis at the different concentrations of copper (0.01 as control, 0.04, 0.06 and 0,5 ppm) delivered continuously for 28 days under controlled laboratory conditions were investigated. Result showed that the degree of copper toxicity depends on both factor the concentration and exposure time. Copper concentration and day of exposure decreased significantly the specific growth rate (SGR) of the Gracilaria edulis but only 0,5 ppm Cu decreased the chlorophyll-a content when compared to control. Of the various physiological end points measured, growth proved to be the most sensitive response than chlorophyll-a with reductions in specific growth rate (SGR). The reason for this could be related to a greater sensitivity of the enzymes involved in growth than those related to chlorophyll-a or a greater energy needs to maintain cellular integrity and metabolic processes under sublethal Cu stress. In all cases, the main effect on vegetative cells were structure changes in cortex and subcortex cells, compared to control, macroalgae exposed to copper showed depigmentation and blending in the lateral branches, heavy staining of the cell wall and severe damage of cell membrane, while the mucilage and the cell walls was densely fibrillar, thick and heavily stained, the cortex cell was clearly vacuolated, the presence of endophytic on the cell wall and endophytic spores in the mucilage. The presence vacuoles should be related to a metal immobilization mechanism, minimizing the Cu toxicity for cells. The epiphytic bacteria can act as a biofilter diminishing the availability of Cu for macroalgae accumulation.