Electrofishing as a potential threat to the growth and metabolism of three submerged macrophytes

Abstract

Electric fields (EFs) are widely used in human activities, and all organisms are potentially affected by EFs. The effects of an EF on terrestrial plants, seeds and water animals are well documented, whereas the effects of an EF on aquatic macrophytes remain unknown. We wanted to determine the effects of an EF, generated by backpack electrofishing equipment, on the growth and metabolism of three submerged plants (Vallisneria natans, Myriophyllum spicatum and Potamogeton maackianus). The results showed that the shoot heights, shoot dry weights, root dry weights, root:shoot ratios and contents of soluble proteins and soluble carbohydrates of the three tested submerged plants were influenced by the EF, and these effects were significantly different among the study plants. Thus, our results indicated that submerged macrophytes might be suppressed by EFs released by electrofishing. Accordingly, we highlight that the growth, development and metabolism of submerged macrophytes might be inhibited by EFs, although the results were obtained from a simulated experiment, and more extensive field experiments are needed.