Copper effects in early stages of the Kelp, Laminaria saccharina

Abstract

The effects of copper on the Laminaria saccharina were examined by culturing plants in 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 μg Cu l −1 filtered and filtered plus uv treated seawater media. Fertile sporophytes were used to determine effects of copper on meiospore release. Untreated meiospores also were obtained and cultured in seawater media, followed by copper additions at various stages of development through the early sporophyte stage. The release of meiospores from copper-treated sorus materials was reduced by concentrations ≧ 50 μg l −1 . Settlement and germination of meiospores were not affected by concentrations up to 500 μg l −1. Development of gametophytes and gametogenesis were delayed in concentrations ≧ 50 μg l −1 . Growth of sporophytes, in terms of length increase or relative blade area increase, was inhibited with increasing concentrations > 10 μg l −1.