Physiological and ultralstructural changes of Chlorella sp. induced by UV-B radiation

Abstract

In order to investigate the mechanisms of enhanced UV-B radiation on algae, the effects of UV-B radiation on the physiological and ultrastructural changes of Chlorella sp. were examined. The results showed that UV-B radiation could inhibit the growth and photosynthesis of microalgae. UV-B radiation at lower doses increased the photosynthetic pigment (chlorophyll a (Chla) and carotenoid (Car)) contents, while at higher doses of UV-B radiation Chla and Car contents were decreased. The ultrastructure of Chlorella sp. without exposure to UV-B showed that the thylakoid lamellae were clear and regular, the stroma of its chloroplast was apparent and clear. The globules with photosynthetic pigments and the cristae of mitochondria were clearly seen. After exposure to UV-B radiation at dose of 2.88 kJ/m2, the thylakoid lamellae of Chlorella sp. were lost and dissolved, the globules which contained photosynthetic pigments in chloroplast were bleached; some mitochondria cristae were dissolved; slight plasmolysis was found in some Chlorella sp. cells. After exposure to 5.76 kJ/m2 UV-B radiation, the thylakoid was in disarray and disintegration, plasmolysis was found in most cells, and the cell wall was broken and began to fall out. Many blank areas were observed in cells, mitochondria were seriously deformed and most of the mitochondria cristae were dissolved. Also, globules containing photosynthetic pigments in chloroplast were bleached and some empty globules were found in chloroplast. Therefore, UV-B radiation could damage cell structure of Chlorella sp., and this damage increased with the dose of UV-B radiation they exposed to.