Chronic effects of microcystin-LR at environmental relevant concentrations on photosynthesis of Typha angustifolia Linn.

Abstract

Understanding the growth and development of aquatic plants in eutrophic water is of great significance for the selection of potential candidate plant for use in the phytoremediation of eutrophic aquatic ecosystems. The present study aimed to investigate the chronic effects of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) on photosynthesis in the leaves of Typha angustifolia Linn. Photosynthetic activity was stimulated in the leaves following exposure to 4.6 μg L-1 MC-LR for six weeks based on the enhancement of Ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity and net photosynthetic rate (PN). However, PN decreased significantly after exposure to 49.1 or 98.3 μg L-1 MC-LR, via non-stomatal limitation by reducing the chlorophyll a and b contents and Rubisco activity. In addition, glycolate oxidase (GO) and serine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (SGAT) activities decreased significantly, indicating that the photorespiration pathway was affected adversely. The intercellular carbon dioxide (Ci) concentration decreased significantly following exposure to 98.3 μg L-1 MC-LR, accompanied with decreases in PN and stomatal conductivity (gs), indicating that stomatal limitation on the photosynthesis system in T. angustifolia L. was observed after exposure to 98.3 μg L-1 MC-LR. Under long-term exposure to MC-LR (49.1-98.3 μg L-1), oxidation stress was severe in the aquatic plant, and non-stomatal limitation or stomatal limitation effects on the photosynthesis system were obvious, resulting in decreases in photosynthesis rates.