Chara Fragilis Research Articles

Биоэлектрические эффекты отмывания клеток Сhara fragilis от растворов фитокомпозиции одуванчик-зверобой-календулы

By using of microelectrode techniques, patterns of change in the potential (φm) and resistance (Rm) of the plasma membrane (PM) of Chara fragilis cells under the influence of Dandelion–Hypericum-Calendula (DHC) phytocomposition solutions were studied. The values of φm and Rm are widely scattered: -90 ÷ -300 mV and 1 ÷ 32.6 Ohm·m2, respectively under the standard conditions. The average value of φm was -183 ± 4.9 mV, Rm = 9.2 ± 1.2 Ohm·m2. Using the dependences of φm, Rm on the concentration of K+ in the external environment, the ranges of activation of the K+ - channels to the inward (KCİR) and outward rectification (KCOR) were determined. Under the action of the DHC phytocomposition, while the cell was in the medium with the concentration of the composite 10-1 or 1 mg/ml, we did not detect changes in φm and Rm for 25 min. Stimulation or suppression of transport processes under the influence of composites occurred only with the exclusion of DHC from the composition of the nutrient medium and with a stepwise increase in the concentration of the composition in the medium. The electrophysiological effects of the action of the DHC composition are discussed from the point of view of its action on the lipid phase of the plasma membrane of the experimental cells.

Study of interaction of xenobiotics with macrophytes in experimental aquatic ecosystems

Phytotoxicity of three types of organic xenobiotics (ethyl acetate, butanol-1, tetrachloromethane) was evaluated when three macrophyte species Ceratophyllum demersum , Elodea canadensis , Chara fragilis were exposed. Pollutant concentrations of 5 and 10 MAC (maximum allowable concentration) were created in microcosms. Incubation lasted for 14 days. New information was obtained experimentally that C. fragilis macrophyte is a highly sensitive test object, which can be used for bioindication purposes. Xenobiotics had no toxic effects on E. canadensis , so it can be considered for phytoremediation purposes. The data obtained are necessary for the development of phytotechnologies for water purification. A number of conditions under which these plant species can be used for ecotechnology are shown.

Study on the Adsorption of Chromium (VI) Metal Ion from Aqueous Solution by Green Algae Biomass (Chara fragilis sp.)

Chromium (VI) is major heavy metal found in textile industry wastewater that cause environmental pollution. Biosorption of heavy metals by using algae biomass has emerged as a cost-effective and efficient alternative technology. This study aims to develop algae (Chara fragilis sp) biomass as adsorbent for Cr (VI) metal ion in aqueous solution.In this study, the optimum conditions of the absorption of biomass Chara fragilis sp. to Cr (VI) ions was determined on the parameters of the optimum contact time and adsorbent mass. Cr (IV) was analyzed by using AAS and the pattern of adsorption isotherms was determined. The results showed that Chara fragilis sp biomass has clear ability in adsorbing Cr (VI) ion in aquoeus solution with optimum contact time was 40 min and the adsorbent mass was 1 g. Under those optimum conditions, the percentage of absorption of Cr (VI) were 24% and 27%, respectively. The adsorption isotherm of Chara fragilis followed the Freundlich pattern, which showed that adsorption mechanism occured physically.

Prevention of Hydrosphere’s Pollution by Aluminium

The environmental hazard is the transport of toxic ions and aluminium oxides entering the hydrosphere. In addition to solving global issues of maintaining environmental wellbeing through sustainable development, it is necessary to solve the technological problems of cleaning water bodies from excessive aluminium. One of the effective measures to solve such problems is the use of phytoremediation - a set of methods for treating wastewater and water bodies with the help of aquatic plants. The study of aquatic organisms (hydrobionts) ecology shows how do they affect the physical and chemical parameters of the environment, including the hydrosphere. Our study in measuring the concentration and toxicity of aluminium ions in the aquatic environment based on the results of experiments with aquatic plants (macrophytes) Ceratophyllum and Chara fragilis, as well as with the higher aquatic plant Callitriche palustris Linne showed the possibility in initiating self-purification processes of hydrosphere objects from mentioned pollutants. Another option in preventing hydrosphere pollution by aluminium compounds should be based on implementation the noospheric transformation of the educational system for national economy specialists in accordance with proposals, given in the paper.

Effect of algae on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Ujani reservoir is one of the prominent wetland in India. Ujani reservoir is well-suited for the growth of different types of algae, that's why it is rich in algal diversity. Dominance of different algal species found in Ujani reservoir, out of that only five species (Synechococcus aeruginosus Naegeli, Spirulina platensis (Nordst.) Gomont, Cladophora crispata (Roth). Kuetzing, Spirogyra jugalis (Fl. Dan.) Kuetzing and Chara fragilis Desvaux in Loiseleur-Deslongchamps) selected for the trial of experiment on tomato plants. On the basis of results these algal species (Chara fragilis, Spirogyra jugalis and Synechococcus aeruginosus) recommended to use as a supplementary fertilizers. Statistical analysis showed that there are significant differences in plant height, number of leaves, and yield as compared to control.

Bioelectric characteristics of Chara fragilis (Characeae) cells

For the first time the data on the distribution of the potential (ϕm) and resistance (Rm) in the plasma membrane and cell wall (R0) of Chara fragilis cells were obtained using the Hogg method by the number of C. fragilis cells in standard conditions. The Hogg method allows simultaneous measurement of electrophysiological parameters, such as ϕm and Rm. The stationary values of the membrane potential and resistance varied in a rather wide range: –90...–300 mV and 1.0–32.6 Ohm·m2, respectively. The average values of ϕm were –183.0 ± 4.9 mV, Rm –9.0 ± 1.2 Ohm·m2. Using standard modifiers of membrane transport, the electrogenic activity of the cells was differentiated into two types: K+-channels and H+-membrane pumps. The activation ranges of the K+-inward rectifying channels and K+-outward rectifying channels are –130...–50 and –300...–162 mV, respectively. The cytosolic activity of K+-ions was 61.6 mmol/L. Since in our research, C. fragilis cells were studied for the first time, their electrogenic activity and ionic conductivity were tested using ammonium metavanadate (VO3ˉ) – a proton pump inhibitor and tetraethylammonium (TEA+) – a universal blocker of K+-channels of plasma membranes. Chara fragilis cells can be recommended as a test object for establishing the mechanisms of changes in plasma membrane transport under exogenous stress factors influence.

Effect of different algal powder on growth and productivity of Moongbean (Phaseolus radiata)

Various species of algae grow luxuriantly in Ujani reservoir. Those species found in large amount are used for experimental purpose. The effect of selected five algal species (Synechococcus aeruginosus, Spirulina plantensis, Cladophora crispata, Spirogyra jugalis and Chara fragilis) was evaluated as biofertilizer on growth and productivity of Moongbean. From the study it was observed that application of algae on Moongbean gives higher yield compared to control. Statistical analysis showed that there are significant differences in plant height,number of leaves and yield as compared to control.

Phytotoxic Effect of Heavy Metal Mixture on Macrophytes

The interaction between inorganic pollutants and higher aquatic plants was studied. Experimental data demonstrated toxic effects from a mixture of heavy metals (Cu, Fe3+, Ni, Fe2+, Zn, Cr6+, Pb, Cd) on Chara fragilis and Callitriche palustris macrophyte species. The experiments were carried out in freshwater microcosms at temperature 12–19°C. Phytotoxicity of the tested mixtures of heavy metals to the macrophytes was revealed. Shoots of C. fragilis and C. palustris plants showed some common signs of phytotoxicity. The new results contribute to the development of water purification phytotechnologies, as well as to elucidation of the range of conditions for applicability of the investigated species in phytoremediation.

Removal of aluminum by aquatic plants Ceratophyllum demersum and Chara fragilis from water of experimental ecosystems

Changes in the concentration of the aluminum ions in water of experimental systems (microcosms) have been studied. The Al ion concentration was measured by the fluorescent method. As macrophytes for microcosm incubation served hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum and stonewort Chara fragilis, with the latter hydrobiont used for the first time in similar experiments. It has been convincingly proven that, in the microcosms with the aquatic plants tested, the Al ion concentration decreased much faster than in the macrophyte-free control microcosms. The data obtained suggest that Ceratophyllum demersum and Chara fragilis are promising candidates for phytoremediation applications.

Impacts of sediment type on the performance and composition of submerged macrophyte communities

To restore deteriorated lake ecosystems, it is important to identify environmental factors that influence submerged macrophyte communities. While sediment is a critical environmental factor for submerged macrophytes and many studies have examined effects of sediment type on the growth of individual submerged macrophytes, very few have tested how sediment type affects the growth and species composition of submerged macrophyte communities. We constructed submerged macrophyte communities containing four co-occurring submerged macrophytes (Hydrilla verticillata, Myriophyllum spicatum, Ceratophyllum demersum and Chara fragilis) and subjected them to three sediment treatments, i.e., clay, a mixture of clay and quartz sand at a volume ratio of 1:1 and a mixture at a volume ratio of 1:4. Compared to the clay, the 1:1 mixture treatment greatly increased overall biomass, number of shoot nodes and shoot length of the community, but decreased its diversity. This was because it substantially promoted the growth of H. verticillata within the community, making it the most abundant species in the mixture sediment, but decreased that of M. spicatum and C. demersum. The sediment type had no significant effects on the growth of C. fragilis. As a primary nutrient source for plant growth, sediment type can have differential effects on various submerged macrophyte species and 1:1 mixture treatment could enhance the performance of the communities, increasing the overall biomass, number of shoot nodes and shoot length by 39.03%, 150.13% and 9.94%, respectively, compared to the clay treatment. Thus, measures should be taken to mediate the sediment condition to restore submerged macrophyte communities with different dominant species.

Supercritical fluid extraction as a tool to valorize underexploited freshwater green algae

Water reservoirs in Poland such as rivers, lakes and ponds are a rich source of freshwater green macroalgae that can be exploited as a good source of biologically active compounds, once an appropriate process has been developed and the metabolites and biological activity of the different species have been demonstrated. With this goal, in the present work a supercritical fluid extraction process (SFE) has been studied to extract carotenoids and phenolic compounds from Cladophora glomerata, Ulva flexuosa and Chara fragilis. Optimization of the parameters involved in the SFE process (temperature, pressure and % ethanol as co-solvent) has been carried out by using a 3-level factorial experimental design and different responses have been evaluated simultaneously (extraction yield, total carotenoids, total phenols and antioxidant activity). Optimized conditions include the use of 40°C, 300bar and 11.4% ethanol as co-solvent. Under these conditions, C. fragilis extracts were the richest in total carotenoids and total phenols (24.90mg fucoxanthin equivalents g−1 extract and 30.20mg gallic acid equivalents g−1 extract, respectively), whereas those produced from U. flexuosa possessed the highest antioxidant activity (0.944mmol trolox equivalents g−1 extract). The chemical characterization of the different extracts, carried out by HPLC-DAD-MS, allowed the tentative assignment of diverse carotenoids, chlorophylls and related compounds in the studied algae; among them some described for the first time on these species. Hence, extracts obtained from the studied algae using SFE can be considered of potential interest in cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industry as a way to valorize these underexploited materials.

Effects of water level fluctuation on the growth of submerged macrophyte communities

Aquatic plant communities are frequently subjected to water level fluctuation. While many experimental studies have examined effects of water level fluctuation on the growth of individual aquatic plant species, very few have tested those on aquatic plant communities. We constructed aquatic communities consisting of four submerged macrophytes (Potamogeton perfoliatus, Myriophyllum spicatum, Chara fragilis and Ceratophyllum demersum), and subjected them to three static water depths (30, 90 and 150cm) and three water level fluctuations with low, medium and high frequency (two, four and eight cycles of water depth change between 30cm to 150cm). Water depth in each of the three fluctuation treatments was on average 90cm, which was comparable to the static water depth of 90cm. Increasing water depth significantly decreased the growth of the communities in terms of biomass, number of shoot nodes and shoot length because it decreased the growth of most species (P. perfoliatus, M. spicatum and C. fragilis). Compared to the static water depth of 90cm, water level fluctuation increased number of shoot nodes and shoot length of the communities, whereas fluctuation frequency had little impact. We conclude that water level fluctuation may potentially increase the vegetative spread of submerged macrophyte communities and managing water level fluctuation may be helpful for the restoration of submerged macrophyte communities in degraded wetlands.

Does clonal fragmentation of the floating plant Eichhornia crassipes affect the growth of submerged macrophyte communities?

Few studies have tested the effect of clonal fragmentation at the community level. Floating plants and submerged macrophytes can coexist, and the presence of floating plants may greatly restrict the growth of submerged macrophyte communities. Clones of floating plants are frequently fragmented by disturbance, but little is known about how clonal fragmentation of floating plants affects the growth of submerged macrophyte communities and whether such effect depends on the intensity (frequency) of fragmentation. We assembled experimental aquatic communities consisting of four submerged macrophytes (Hydrilla verticillata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Chara fragilis and Myriophyllum spicatum), and grew them without the floating plant Eichhornia crassipes, with an intact clone of E. crassipes, or with a clone fragmented every 5, 10 or 15 days. Clonal fragmentation, irrespective of the frequency, did not significantly affect the growth of the floating plant. Consequently, it did not significantly affect the growth of the submerged macrophyte community or that of each of the four submerge macrophytes. However, compared to the treatment without E. crassipes, the presence of E. crassipes significantly decreased the biomass of the macrophyte community because it greatly decreased the biomass of the most abundant species H. verticillata. Therefore, the presence of floating plants can influence the establishment of submerged macrophyte communities, but clonal fragmentation of floating plants may not. To restore submerged macrophyte communities, measures should be taken to restrict the spread of floating plants, and breaking clones of floating plants may not be an effective measure.

Biogas production experimental research using algae.

The current study is on the the use of macro-algae as feedstock for biogas production. Three types of macro-algae, Cladophora glomerata (CG), Chara fragilis (CF), and Spirogyra neglecta (SN), were chosen for this research. The experimental studies on biogas production were carried out with these algae in a batch bioreactor. In the bioreactor was maintained 35 ± 1°C temperature. The results showed that the most appropriate macro-algae for biogas production are Spirogyra neglecta (SN) and Cladophora glomerata (CG). The average amount of biogas obtained from the processing of SN – 0.23 m3/m3d, CG – 0.20 m3/m3d, and CF – 0.12 m3/m3d. Considering the concentration of methane obtained during the processing of SN and CG, which after eight days and until the end of the experiment exceeded 60%, it can be claimed that biogas produced using these algae is valuable. When processing CF, the concentration of methane reached the level of 50% only by the final day of the experiment, which indicates that this alga is less suitable for biogas production.

Does mechanical disturbance affect the performance and species composition of submerged macrophyte communities?

Submerged macrophyte communities are frequently subjected to disturbance of various frequency and strength. However, there is still little experimental evidence on how mechanical disturbance affects the performance and species composition of such plant communities. In a greenhouse experiment, we constructed wetland communities consisting of five co-occurring clonal submerged macrophyte species (Hydrilla verticillata, Elodea canadensis, Ceratophyllum demersum, Chara fragilis, and Myriophyllum spicatum) and subjected these communities to three mechanical disturbance regimes (no, moderate and strong disturbance). Strong mechanical disturbance greatly decreased overall biomass, number of shoot nodes and total shoot length, and increased species diversity (evenness) of the total community. It also substantially decreased the growth of the most abundant species (H. verticillata), but did not affect growth of the other four species. Our data reveal that strong disturbance can have different effects on different submerged macrophyte species and thus alters the performance and species composition of submerged macrophyte communities.

Can submerged macrophytes be effective for controlling waterborne phytopathogens in irrigation ponds? An experimental approach using microcosms

Irrigation ponds may act as a source of phytopathogenic species that might infest crops through the irrigation systems. Many studies have shown that submerged macrophytes can improve water clarity by out-competing phytoplankton by means of various mechanisms: favoured phytoplankton-grazing zooplankton, reduced nutrient and light availability, increased sinking losses and the release of allelopathically active substances. However, less information is available on the effects of submerged macrophytes on heterotrophic aquatic organisms such as pathogenic bacteria, fungi or oomycete species. This paper studies the effects of three submerged macrophytes—Chara fragilis, Potamogeton pectinatus and Najas marina—on the viability in water of propagules of two phytopathogenic isolates of the oomycetes Pythium aphanidermatum and Pythium ultimum. Moreover, we tested general antimicrobial properties (against bacteria and fungi in water) for these macrophytes. The results showed clear inhibitory effects of all three macrophytes on bacterial density in water and of C. fragilis on the viability of Pythium. Thus, preserving aquatic vegetation in irrigation ponds (i.e. charophytes), besides its purely environmental interest, may have important agronomic benefits owing to their role as biological control against some phytopathogenic agents.

Assessment of eutrophication effects on charophytes in Mediterranean ponds (North-Western Spain)

The distribution of charophyte vegetation in 57 ponds located in the basin of the River Duero in North-Western Spain was studied in relation to eutrophication. A total of 11 charophyte taxa were recorded in 40 ponds. However, only Chara fragilis Desv., Chara connivens Salzm. ex A. Braun and Nitella translucens (Pers.) C. Agardh were found in more than 17% of the ponds where charophytes occurred. Significant differences between ponds with and without charophytes were found for the following parameters: volatile suspended solids (VSS), total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, chlorophyll-a, nitrate and total phosphorus (TP). These variables were significantly lower in ponds where charophytes were present. Charophytes were found over a wide range of TP concentrations (20―6884 μg L ―1 ). However, taxa showed differing sensitivities to phosphorus concentrations. Thus, Chara connivens and Chara fragilis showed the highest optimum values for TP concentration (1875 and 551 μg L ―1 TP, respectively) while Nitella translucens registered the lowest optimum value for TP (69 μg L ―1 ). The charophyte cover showed a significant negative correlation with VSS and chlorophyll-a. As for charophyte taxa, Chara connivens cover was positive and significantly correlated with orthophosphate (SRP), while Nitella translucens cover showed a significant negative correlation with TP and TSS. The ordination of charophyte taxa showed a principal gradient of mineralization and ecological condition and a secondary gradient of eutrophication.

Mechanical strength of stems in aquatic macrophytes

In populations of submerged macrophytes, individuals are selected in terms of resistance to the effect of hydrodynamic forces. The aim of this study was to check whether individuals growing in river water are more tensile and bending resistant than plants occurring in places not exposed to flow stress. We determined the ultimate tensile strength of stems in four macrophyte species, <em>Potamogeton natans</em>, <em>P. pectinatus</em>, <em>Batrachium fluitans</em> and <em>Chara fragilis</em>, which occur in two environmental variants: in running (current velocity of 0.1-0.6 m/s<sup>-1</sup>) and stagnant water. In addition, flexure of <em>P. natans</em> stems from both environmental variants was examined. What is more, the type and arrangement of strengthening structures in stems of the plants under study were determined. <em>Potamogeton natans</em> stems are the most resistant to stretching (15.6±4.7 N), while stems of <em>P. pectinatus</em> (3.3±1.0 N) and <em>Batrachium fluitans</em> (2.6±0.8 N) are less resistant. <em>Chara fragilis</em> (0.6±0.3 N) has the least resistant stems. <em>Batrachium</em>, <em>Chara</em> and <em>P. pectinatus</em> are more resistant to stretching if they occur in a river current, whereas <em>P. natans</em>, in stagnant lake water. Ultimate bending moment of <em>P. natans</em> stems from lakes is also much greater than of stems from a river (9.75•10<sup>-3</sup> – 4.25•10<sup>-3</sup> Nm as compared to 2.12•10<sup>-3</sup> – 1.00•10<sup>-3</sup> Nm). The resistance of stems to breaking is directly proportional to the stem and thallus cross sectional areas. On the one hand, in all the studied <em>Cormophyta</em> species, the more resistant stems (in <em>P. natans</em> from stagnant water, in the others from running water) are thicker and characterised by a higher contribution of air spaces in the overall stem cross-section. On the other hand, the stems retain their species specific structure and have a similar proportion of strengthening elements.

Phenotypic responses to water flow and wave exposure in aquatic plants

Plastic responses of 10 aquatic plant species from 5 rivers and 5 lakes in NW Poland were examined. <em>Chara fragilis</em>, <em>C. delicatula</em>, <em>Potamogeton pectinatus</em>, <em>P. perfoliatus</em>, <em>P. natans</em>, <em>Spirodela polyrhiza</em>, <em>Hydrocharis morsus-ranae</em>, <em>Salvinia natans</em>, <em>Nymphoides peltata</em> and <em>Juncus bulbosus</em> were the subject of research. In the running water of rivers, rhizophytes were generally bigger and they allocated from 0.6% to 58.6% more biomass for anchoring in the substrate than in stagnant water (ox bow lakes). In both flow variants rhizophytes allocated a similar biomass fraction for generative reproduction. On the other hand, under the influence of water flow pleustophytes reduced the mass of an individual (<em>Spirodela</em> by 25%, <em>Hydrocharis</em> 67%, <em>Salvinia</em> 77%) and emergent structures (p<0.001), and the number of sporangia (p<0.001). In both flow variants the input of biomass to generative reproduction was the same (<em>Salvinia</em>), or it was greater in running water (<em>Hydrocharis</em>; an increase from 4.9±1.3% to 15.1±3.6%). Under the conditions of strong wave action, in comparison with the lack of this environmental factor, <em>Chara delicatula</em> was several times shorter (p<0.001). However, it was also stouter, and as a result it had similar mass. In the areas of wave action the plant allocated 88.8% of its mass for anchoring in the substrate, whereas when there were no waves, only 22.7%.

Biomass allocation to anchoring structures in the aquatic macrophytes from the subcontinental and Atlantic climates in Europe

Biomass allocation to anchoring structures in 10 species of aquatic macrophytes in two types of the cool and humid temperate climate in Europe, subcontionental (NW Poland) and Atlantic (W France), was examined. The study focused on the weight of anchoring organs in <em>Chara delicatula</em> Ag., <em>Ch. fragilis</em> Desv., <em>Juncus bulbosus</em> L., <em>Littorella uniflora</em> (L.) Asch., <em>Luronium natans</em> (L.) Raf., <em>Potamogeton pectinatus</em> L., <em>P. perfoliatus </em>L., <em>P. natans</em> L. and <em>Ranunculus fluitans</em> (Lam.) Wimm., as well as submerged structures in <em>Hydrocharis morsus-ranae</em> L. The plants were collected from 10 geographically distant lakes and 2 rivers with a current velocity of 0.3-0.5 m s<sup>-1</sup>. It was assumed that biomass allocation to anchoring structures in rooting macrophytes depends on the time that mechanical forces, which can remove the plants from the occupied area, exert their effect. It was found that, in the Atlantic and subcontinental climates, the ratio between the biomass of underground (or submerged) and above-ground structures (U/A index), calculated for the ramets of <em>Chara fragilis</em>, <em>Hydrocharis morsus-ranae</em> and <em>Ranunculus fluitans</em>, has similar values (p>0.05). Nevertheless, among seven species of <em>Cormophyta</em>, which were anchored in the lake or pond littoral, six (<em>Juncus bulbosus</em>, <em>Littorella uniflora</em>, <em>Luronium natans</em>, <em>Potamogeton pectinatus</em>, <em>P. perfoliatus</em> and <em>P. natans</em>) had higher values of the U/A index in the Atlantic climate than in the subcontinental type (p < 0.05). This can be explained by the lack of ice cover and, consequently, a longer time of wave action than in the subcontinental climate.