Higher Aquatic Plants Research Articles

Establishment of a Flow-Through System for the Macrophyte Growth Inhibition Test (OECD 239) Including Photosynthetic Activity Measurement to Determine Early Effects.

Maintaining constant exposure concentrations during ecotoxicological studies while testing rapidly degradable substances is a challenge. To achieve stable concentrations during exposure, flow-through systems are used. To assess the impact of substances on higher aquatic plants, the 14-day macrophyte water-sediment Myriophyllum spicatum growth inhibition test (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD, 2014a] test guideline 239) only includes a static or a semistatic test design. The main aim of our study was to investigate the applicability of a flow-through system for M. spicatum. The standard OECD test design was miniaturized, and a flow-through system with spill-over was developed to achieve stable exposure concentrations of a rapidly degrading substance. The main endpoints were total shoot length and fresh and dry weight. Photosynthetic activity was used as an endpoint for the identification of early effects using the noninvasive Image-Producing Pulse Amplitude Modulation (IMAGING-PAM) procedure. Atorvastatin (AV; fast degrading) and bentazone (BT; photosynthesis inhibitor) were used as model substances to observe differences of the effect concentration depending on the test design. At higher exposure levels of AV, stronger necrosis combined with lower effect concentrations was observed in the flow-through test compared with the semistatic test, indicating the applicability of the flow-through test for evaluating degradable substances. The test with BT demonstrated a concentration-dependent decrease in the photosynthetic yield (Y(II)) from day 3 onward even before macroscopically visible changes occurred. Our results show that the flow-through system in the macrophyte growth inhibition test (OECD test guideline 239; 2014a) is a suitable alternative when one is testing rapidly degradable substances such as AV. In addition, we showed that photosynthetic yield can serve as a supplementary endpoint, when one is testing substances with photosynthesis inhibition as a mode of action. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-12. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Методы и применение интенсификации фиторемедиации сточных вод горнодобывающей промышленности

The article presents the latest results of research on the biological treatment of mining and metallurgical industrial wastewater using higher aquatic plants: Eichhornia (Eichhornia crassipes Solm) and Pistia (Pistia stratiotes L). The features of these plants detected during contaminated wastewater treatment have been identified. The primary results of experiments are based on single-stage treatment processes that ensure efficient wastewater treatment upon completion of plant adaptation to these waters. However, the duration of the process is long, i.e., 15–30 days; therefore, the process intensification experiments have been conducted. Experiments conducted within a week have achieved significant reductions in calcium, magnesium, sulfate, and chlorine ions. During the first days of the experiments, the plants continued to grow and develop, but due to high salt concentrations, some of the plants (approximately 50–60 %) died due to insufficient time for adaptation. The remaining plants were slowly recovering and continued vegetation. These plants have demonstrated high cumulative and treatment effects as they are considered most adapted to the chemical composition of wastewater. The use of such plants, however, will require longer periods for wastewater treatment, namely around a month, which does not comply with the production requirements. Therefore, a decision to experiment during 24 hours has been made. The results of the analysis have shown that the plants completely absorb calcium, magnesium, chlorine, nitrates, zinc, and cobalt already on the first day of planting; bicarbonates and sodium are absorbed on the second day; and iron on the third day. Potassium, manganese, arsenic, and thiocyanates are neutralized during 7–10 days. The average efficiency of wastewater treatment per day is 51% on the condition of frequent renewal of the plant biomass. Based on the results obtained, a biotechnology built on a multi-stage biological wastewater treatment system of industrial scale has been developed.

Algae in the diete of quails

In this work, the subject of research was a microscopic algae – chlorella and a higher aquatic plant – duckweed. The most optimal variants of nutrient media for algae cultivation have been studied. It is proposed to cultivate chlorella on a nutrient medium “04” based on farm wastewater and farm wastewater for duckweed. The influence of algae biomass (chlorella and duckweed) on the growth and development of quails has been studied. It is proposed to include quails in the diet as a dietary supplement to the main feed Chlorella vulgaris and Lemna minor L, which will improve zootechnical and economic indicators, has a positive effect on increasing live weight, egg production and viability.

Characteristics of Cyanobacteria at Different Stages of Existence of the Kyiv Reservoir

The paper deals with the patterns of Cyanobacteria long-term succession at different stages of existence of the Kyiv Reservoir. The main ecological factors responsible for Cyanobacteria succession include current velocity, hydromorphological characteristics of the reservoir, the content of inorganic nitrogen (primarily of ammonium) and phosphorus, ΣN : P ratio, global climate changes, and the competition with higher aquatic plants in the shallow water zone. The trophic state of the hydroecosystem changed from mesotrophic (at the stage of the non-regulated river) to eutrophic (at the present time) depending on the intensity of Cyanobacteria development. With possible further deterioration of water quality, possible climate changes with an increase in water temperature within the range of even 1-2°C, the intensity of Cyanobacteria development will increase, especially in the pelagic zone of the reservoir, where they have practically no natural biological competitors.

ECOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY

Water quality – is a description of water’s chemical and biological composition and physical properties, which characterize it as an abiotic component of aquatic ecosystem and determine its suitability for specific consumption purposes.
 Ecological water quality (environmental water quality) – refers to the ecological well-being of an aquatic ecosystem, with the main focus on protection of the aquatic environment and human life and health. It comprises a complex of physical, chemical, biological and other parameters reflecting specific features of abiotic and biotic components of aquatic ecosystems.
 The requirements for physical, chemical and biological properties of water are set in the water quality standards, which may be developed by particular countries or introduced by international organizations.
 Ecological water quality depends upon natural and human factors. Natural factors are in their turn divided into abiotic (for example, geological, meteorological, hydrological) and biotic (for example, the ratio of primary production and organic matter destruction). The main human factors affecting water quality include artificial modification of aquatic ecosystems’ hydrological conditions and their pollution with diverse chemical compounds.
 There are a lot of approaches to ecological water quality assessment according to both abiotic (physical and chemical) and biological parameters. Physical and chemical methods take into account such parameters as water transparency, suspended particulate matter concentration (turbidity), ion composition, water hardness, total dissolved salts content, nutrients and organic matter content, dissolved gases concentration, pH. Biological methods are based upon assessing the living organisms’ (biological indicators’) response to mineral and organic substances, present in water. Various living organisms can be used as biological indicators: algae, in particular – diatoms, higher aquatic plants, different species of aquatic invertebrates and fishes. While physical and chemical methods characterize water quality at the moment of sampling, biological methods provide an integral picture of water quality for a certain time period. Besides, biological methods are more informative, because they reflect the aquatic ecosystem’s response to pollution.
 On the whole, the most reliable data on ecological water quality can be obtained by combining physical, chemical and biological methods.

PHYTOPLANKTON PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY

Primary productivity is an important integral parameter describing energy potential of aquatic organisms’ vital activity. Primary productivity determines the quality of water environment, its self- purifying capacity – from the Global Ocean to various continental ecosystems (Odum 1953, Williams et al. 2002, Bott et al. 2006, Kuehl and Troelstrup 2013).
 Primary productivity is a bioenergy process transforming the solar energy into the energy of chemical bonds in organic matter, newly synthesized by the autotrophic link. The autotrophic link is mainly formed by algae from different ecological groups (phytoplankton, phytobenthos, phytoperiphyton) and higher aquatic plants.
 As any process of energy production and transition, primary production in aquatic ecosystems is regulated by the laws of thermodynamics: the first law – the Lomonosov-Lavoisier law, the second law – the entropy law (Odum 1953). It is necessary to state clearly, that green plants do not transform the total amount of the Sun’s radiant energy, but only a part of it, within the spectral range between 480 and 720 nm (within the wavelength band of photosynthetically active radiation).A simplified equation describing the primary production process can be represented as follows:Proceeding from the above equation, primary productivity may be considered equivalent to (analogous to) the photosynthesis intensity.
 There is a range of various methods for estimating PP: according to algal cell number, according to nutrient dynamic in water, according to diurnal dynamics of dissolved oxygen, according to chlorophyll a content, light-and-dark bottle method in oxygen or radiocarbon modification. With consideration taken of these methods’ advantages and disadvantages, researchers will be able to obtain the most reliable and unbiased primary productivity data.

Distribution of nitrogen-transforming bacteria in an artificial reservoir populated with aquatic higher plants

This article examines the distribution of nitrogen-transforming bacteria in an artificial reservoir (pond) populated with aquatic higher plants of common reed (Phragmites australis) and cattail (Typha) for treating swine wastewater. In the pond occupied by Phragmites australis, 7 strains of ammonium oxidising and 14 denitrifying bacteria were identified, while, in the pond occupied by Typha, 6 strains of ammonium oxidising and 19 denitrifying bacteria were distinguished. A comparative analysis of bacterial count at various sampling points revealed their decrease along the artificial pond. Most of the bacteria strains oxidising ammonium were identified in the samples collected from the surface layer of the pond, while denitrifying bacteria dominated the bottom layer. The isolated microorganisms identified by 16S rRNA sequencing belonged to the genus Pantoea, Enterobacter and Bacillus. An artificial pond having aquatic higher plants is characterised by a diverse microbiota, whose composition strongly depends on the wastewater source rather than on the cultivated plant species. The ammonia transformation and denitrification capacity of isolated bacterial strains was determined. The highest conversion efficiency of ammonia (up to 56%) was observed for Enterobacter cloacae bacteria isolated from the surface layer of the pond. Denitrifying bacteria sampled from the bottom layer allowed for the reduction in nitrate content from 20 to 10 mg/L in 72 h. The obtained results confirm the role of bacteria in the treatment of wastewater against nitrogen-containing pollutants, with the average efficiency of removal of inorganic nitrogen compounds being 50%.

Assessment of heavy metal accumulation potential of aquatic plants for bioindication and bioremediation of aquatic environment.

This study is devoted to assessing the potential for accumulating heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) of nine species of aquatic and coastal plants growing in the water area of the Okhta River (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation). The list of studied species included the following: hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum L.), water soldier (Stratiotes aloides L.), yellow water-lily (Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm.), arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia L.), broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia L.), water arum (Calla palustris L.), acute sedge (Carex acuta L.), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), and meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.). The values of the bioconcentration factor for particular plant tissues were calculated. It has been established that the concentrations of metals in plant tissues can be thousands and tens of thousands of times higher than their content in water. At the same time, the ability of plants to accumulate metals varies greatly and depends on a number of factors, such as environmental conditions, the growing season, the type and ecological group of the plant.The study also attempts to determine the spatial and temporal dynamics of the content of heavy metals in higher aquatic plants. The main difficulties in data interpretation are indicated. The data obtained show the different significance of the study macrophyte species both for bioindication purposes and for use in wastewater treatment. The possibility of using such species as Sagittaria sagittifolia L., Typha latifolia L., Ceratophyllum demersum L., and Calla palustris L. for bioremediation is substantiated.

Determination of Mn, Cu and Pb background level in higher aquatic plants within Belarusian reservoirs based on National Monitoring System Data

AbstractThe intensity of heavy metal accumulation by aquatic plants can be used as an indicator of the water body ecological status. Macrophyte‐based assessment of the contamination level by heavy metals in aquatic environments assumes their background content data. The background level of Mn, Cu, and Pb contents in aquatic plants of lakes has been determined according to the monitoring data. During the National Environment Monitoring 827 macrophyte samples have been collected from 47 Belarusian reservoirs and lakes. Background and anomalous values have been established empirically with help of such statistical methods as (median ± 2MAD), Tukey Box Plot and cumulative probability (or Q‐Q) plot. The highest threshold values of analyzed elements are obtained for submersed aquatic plants and amount 5817.0 mg/kg for Mn, 78.0 mg/kg for Cu, and 54.7 mg/kg for Pb. The lakes with abnormal metal contents in macrophyte tissues have been revealed. Spatial distribution of Mn, Cu, and Pb anomalous have been analyzed. Some differences in spatial patterns between ecological groups are mainly caused by varying predominant sources of elements intake into plants.

DIRECTIONS OF TECHNOLOGICAL AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATORY AND LEGAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE ORGANIZATION ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITY IN UKRAINE

The paper describes a technique for identifying appropriate environmental technology options for populated areas. The substantiation of a technique of a choice of nature protection technical and economic decisions of increase of ecological safety of urban systems is offered. The relative importance of some factors in the implementation of environmental technical and economic solutions to improve the environmental safety of urban systems using the method of analysis of hierarchies as the basis of management and environmental monitoring. The main stages of the methodology are considered, taking into account the purpose, comparative evaluation, calculations, research. The connection between the elements of adjacent levels of hierarchy is described. It is shown that the method of system analysis will reduce the probability of making the wrong decision to make sound technical and economic decisions to improve the environmental safety of urban systems. Technological and organizational-economic tools, especially in terms of nature management, environmental assessment and entrepreneurship, are aimed primarily at implementing effective, efficient measures aimed at overcoming the deep environmental crisis and ensuring conditions for sustainable development of the state. The advantages of the methodological approach include - the ability to link to a single algorithm to justify the solution of data that differ in content (ecological, biological in higher aquatic plants, urban, social and economic) and in the form of presentation (data of direct measurements, statistical and forecast estimates) to develop a single proposal for the application of modern management in practice. Sustainable Development is a concept that at its core is revolutionary, yet unfortunately incredibly difficult to pragmatically define. The history behind sustainable development is one that does not stretch far. Tensions that can be found within the concept of sustainable development are numerous, ranging from its ambiguous and vague definition, to the failure of attaining a universal pragmatic and operational framework. The great challenge that lies ahead with sustainable development is not only the need to educate it to the people, but to first define it in a way people will understand it.

SURFACE MORPHOLOGY AND SORPTION PROPERTIES OF THE FUZZ PERFUME OF THE TYPHA BROAD-LEAF OF THE COBS (ТYPHA LATIFOLIA)

The higher aquatic plant cattails has a wide distribution area, grows almost all over the world and has a number of unique properties. One of these properties is the sorption properties of perianth the fuzz of cattail cobs. The high sorption capacity of the perianth the fuzz of the cattail cobs is difficult to explain from the standpoint of the small specific surface area of this material. The data obtained by the authors а presented on the characteristics of the perianth the fuzz of Typha latifolia cobs as a sorbent of oil and oil products. The oil capacity of VOPR reaches 35 g / g, the buoyancy in the unsaturated state exceeds 100 days, the sorption time is several seconds, the degree of oil recovery makes it possible to return at least 68% of the absorbed oil product. Investigations of the surface morphology of individual the fuzz of the perianth of the cobs of cattail, both native samples and samples after sorption of oil or hexane with subsequent removal of sorbates, а presented. The studies were carried out using the method of electron microscopy, which showed that when exposed to a solvent, the sorption surface increases due to the formation of additional surfaces that arise when the internal cavities are opened and individual the fuzz are separated into ribbons. The data obtained make it possible to explain the revealed possibility of multiple regeneration of this material used in emergency response.

The “Doctor Robik 109” complex biopreparation as a bioagent for utilizing aquatic plant phytomass in biofuel cells

The paper demonstrates the possibility of using the “Doctor Robik 109” complex microbiological preparation (OOO VIPEKO, Russia), applied in cesspools and sewage caissons, for obtaining electric current in biofuel elements during the utilization of the Ulothrix sp., Spirogyra sp., Elodea canadensis aqueous plant phytomass. The kinetics of electrical parameters of the studied biofuel cells was characterized by a steady and prolonged growth – for at least 30 days. This may be associated with the slow transformation of the used substrate by microorganisms, which additionally ensures the long-term operation of biofuel cells on their basis. In Spirogira sp. biofuel cells, the biological preparation generated the voltage (broken circuit mode) and current strength (short circuit mode) equal up to 746mV and 1745 A, respectively. In Ulothrix sp. biofuel cells, these values comprised 360 mV and 1120 μA for a 25-day period, respectively. When using a E. canadensis substrate, the studied bioagent microorganisms generated the voltage and current of up to 643 mV and 568 μA during a 25-day period, respectively. An increase in the electrical parameters of biofuel cells, which were based on the studied biological preparation and the phytomass of higher aquatic plants and algae, was accompanied by an increase in the number of viable microorganism cells and a decrease in the plant biomass. Since phytomass growth is activated by the phytoremediation measures of additional wastewater treatment or during the eutrophication of water bodies, the proposed method for applying aquatic plants in biofuel cells represents a promising approach to utilizing excess phytomass.

Heavy metals content in higher aquatic plants of the Northern Caspian Sea

Heavy metals content in higher aquatic plants of the Northern Caspian Sea

Сукцессии зоопланктона малых мелководных озер после проведения мероприятий по экореабилитации

The need for eco-rehabilitation of water bodies affected by strong anthropogenic influence increases greatly with an increase in the area of urbanized territories. The effectiveness of such measures may be evaluated by studying successions of hydrobiont communities in a rehabilitated water body. In 2017, actions were taken to rehabilitate the Lebyazhye Lakes system (Kazan), which included deepening the basins of Bolshoe Lebyazhye Lake and Svetloe Lebyazhye Lake to 4 m, isolating the bed of future basins with bentonite mats, supplying water from Izumrudnoye Lake through a pressure conduit, filling the lakes with water, and improvement of the shores. Then, in 2018–2021, zooplankton indicators of these lakes were studied and models of its food webs were proposed. After the work was completed, the lakes were successfully colonized by zooplankton: in 2018, the identified assemblage included 106 species, with 51 species of rotifers (46%), 36 species of cladocerans (34%) and 19 species of copepods (18%). However, in the absence of higher aquatic plants, a strong “bloom” of water was observed with the predominance of blue-green algae in the composition of phytoplankton and low water transparency. In 2020–2021, the zooplankton composition showed a decrease in the total number of species and the number of species in the sample, a decrease in the production in communities, a change in the composition of dominant species towards representatives of the genus Brachionus, and an increase in the variability of biomass dynamics. All these suggested instability and the gradual simplification of the community. In 2021, obligate predators disappeared from one of the lakes, which led to the shortening of food chains.

Effects of organic matter on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in riverine sediments affected by human activities

Organic matter (OM) is an important component of riverine environments and a major factor in the migration and transformation of hydrophobic organic substances, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), to sediments. We studied the distributions, sources, and correlations between PAHs and OM in sediments from the Duliujian and the Beiyun rivers in North China. Sixteen PAHs were detected in the surface sediments at total concentrations ranging from 356 to 4652 ng·g−1 dry weight, which caused a moderate to high level of pollution. The PAH distributions were significantly and positively correlated with OM (p < 0.01) and higher concentrations were detected downstream of areas affected by human activity. Petroleum, coal, and wood combustion were the main sources of PAHs in riverine sediments, and the sources of OM in sediment included terrestrial and aquatic higher plants, soil, and sewage discharge. The OM accumulated and aged along the river, with increases in the degree of aromaticity and condensation, which led to stronger adsorption of PAHs. Our results will help to promote the management and restoration of contaminated riverine sediments.

DIRECTIONS OF TECHNOLOGICAL AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATORY AND LEGAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE ORGANIZATION ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITY IN UKRAINE

One of the main tasks of the environmental industry is innovation, which is now the key to technological progress. Technological and organizational-economic tools, especially in terms of nature management, environmental assessment and entrepreneurship, are aimed primarily at implementing effective, efficient measures aimed at overcoming the deep environmental crisis and ensuring conditions for sustainable development of the state. Technological and organizational-economic mechanisms of greening is a set of organizational forms and economic levers, the interaction of which allows to ensure the implementation of a recurring process aimed at improving the economic and environmental efficiency of social production and stimulating environmental measures. Green (eco-) entrepreneurship is an alternative vision of growth and development. It is necessary to rethink the theoretical approaches and clearly clarify the essence of the organizational and economic mechanism of sustainability of eco-enterprises for its effective formation and implementation of further research in this area. These breakthroughs are expected to lead to significant transformational changes in the functioning of society. These achievements promise significant social and economic benefits, increased efficiency and increased productivity in many areas. Innovations, including technological and organizational-economic tools focused on the collection, processing and analysis of vast arrays of information science data, will have implications for countless areas of research and development. An innovative methodological approach to the definition and justification of priority management technological and organizational and economic decisions for MAI, allows to involve experts in environmental, urban, social, economic direction of municipal authorities of a particular settlement, industrial, residential and military facilities, to justify management decisions environmental safety of settlements, etc. The advantages of the methodological approach include - the ability to link to a single algorithm to justify the solution of data that differ in content (ecological, biological in higher aquatic plants, urban, social and economic) and in the form of presentation (data of direct measurements, statistical and forecast estimates) to develop a single proposal for the application of modern management in practice.

ECOLOGICAL AND HYGIENIC ASSESSMENT OF NEW PESTICIDES FOR GRAIN CEREALS CHEMICAL PROTECTION

Relevance. The use of pesticides in the national economy is to destroy or inhibit the growth of harmful plants and to protect crops from pathogens requires a mandatory assessment of their environmental hygienic hazard.&#x0D; Objective of our study is to assess the hazards of three new pesticides for cereal grains protection: amicarbazone from the chemical class of triazolinone compounds, bicyclopyrone from the class of tricetones and pydiflumetofen from the class of carboxamides, in terms of ecotoxicity and environmental behavior.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Hazard assessment of amicarbazone, bicyclopyrone and pydiflumetofen was performed on the basis of data sources on their physico-chemical characteristics, toxicometry parameters for different species of living things and indicators of environmental behavior. For potential hazards integral assess for terrestrial ecosystems an ecotox was calculated taking into account mammalian toxicity, persistence and maximum rate consumption. To identify the limiting section of migration, the mathematical modeling was performed in the systems "soil-water", "soil-plants" and "soil-atmospheric air".&#x0D; Results. Amicarbazone has been shown to be extremely toxic to algae and highly toxic to higher aquatic plants (HAP) (hazard class I), moderately toxic (class IV) to mammals, mildly toxic (class III) to birds, soil mesofauna and invertebrates, virtually non-toxic to bees and fish; bicyclopyrone - extremely toxic to HAP (class I) and moderately toxic (class II) to the most sensitive algae, mildly toxic (class III) to birds, fish and invertebrates and virtually non-toxic to other terrestrial fauna; pydiflumetofen is highly toxic (class I) to fish and invertebrates, moderately toxic (class II) to algae and HAP, virtually non-toxic to all terrestrial biota. Pydiflumetofen has been shown to be a highly resistant and poorly mobile in soil; amicarbazone is stable and mobile; bicyclopyrone is highly resistant in laboratory experiments and moderately stable in field experiments, its mobility varies in a wide range: from very mobile to less mobile in some soils. The danger for terrestrial biocenoses of all studied pesticides under different soil and climatic conditions is lower by (1–5) orders of magnitude in comparison with DDT; the lowest is the ecotoxicity of bicyclopyrone, the highest – pydiflumetofen. All test substances are highly stable in water. The leading section of their migration in environment is the system "soil – water of ponds" and in case of pydiflumetofen – "soil – plants" as well.

Accumulation of biomass and heavy metals in communities of coastal aquatic vegetation of reservoirs in the North-West of Russia

The seasonal aspects of biomass dynamics and heavy metals accumulation in biomass were investigated for 27 species of high aquatic plants of shallow water reservoirs of North-West of Russia with different level of sediments pollution with heavy metals. It is shown that the character of seasonal dynamics of biomass and heavy metals accumulation differs at species, belonging to different ecological groups. The maximal accumulation of biomass and heavy metals at helophytes and submersed species is observed at the end of vegetation season, but for aquatic plants with floating leaves it is typical in the middle of vegetation. In polluted shallow water bodies, all groups demonstrate more fast accumulating of heavy metals and more shot period of active biomass accumulation.

REPRODUCTION OF MICROSCOPIC ALGAE AND HIGHER AQUATIC PLANTS IN THE WATERS OF DENGIZKUL, BUKHARA REGION

The article describes the Dengizkul cadastre, the fertility of phytoplankton of lake water in laboratory conditions, the fertility and fluidity of higher aquatic plants and their significance. Information on the cultivation and use of plant species rich in physiological substances as food for herbivorous fish is presented.

Determination of the content of biologically active substances found in some aquatic higher plants

Determination of the content of biologically active substances found in some aquatic higher plants