Ecological damage of submerged macrophytes by fresh cyanobacteria (FC) and cyanobacterial decomposition solution (CDS)

Weizhen Zhang; Peng Gu; Xiaowei Zheng; Ning Wang; Hanqi Wu; Jian He; Xingzhang Luo; Liang Zhou; Zheng Zheng

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123372

Ecological damage of submerged macrophytes by fresh cyanobacteria (FC) and cyanobacterial decomposition solution (CDS)

J Hazard Mater. 2021 Jan 5:401:123372. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123372. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Authors

Weizhen Zhang¹, Peng Gu², Xiaowei Zheng², Ning Wang², Hanqi Wu³, Jian He², Xingzhang Luo², Liang Zhou⁴, Zheng Zheng⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China. Electronic address: zhangwz15@fudan.edu.cn.
² Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
³ College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 211106, China.
⁴ Nanjing Perennial Root Flowers Botanical Garden, 210017, China.
⁵ Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China. Electronic address: zzhenghj@fudan.edu.cn.

PMID: 32645542
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123372

Abstract

To investigate the deleterious ecological effects of cyanobacteria on submerged macrophytes, this study investigated the effects of different concentrations of fresh cyanobacteria (FC) and cyanobacteria decomposition solution (CDS) on an experimental group of submerged macrophytes (Vallisneria natans (Lour.) Hara and Myriophyllum verticillatum Linn.). The results showed that FC and CDS not only lead to decrease in biomass and significant changes in enzyme activity and chlorophyll content in tissue, but also affected the permeability of cell membranes. The extent of damage was in the order CDS > FC, and the comprehensive stress resistance of Vallisneria natans (2.994) was more than that of Myriophyllum verticillatum (2.895). In addition, semi-permeable membranes can reduce plant damage by FC and CDS, but cannot completely prevent it. FC and CDS mainly affected the relative distribution of microbial genera on the surface of aquatic plants (p < 0.05). Furthermore, CDS caused irreversible damage to plant cells and induced programmed cell death (PCD) of plants to accelerate their decline. Therefore, FC and CDS may be one of the main reasons for the decline in submerged vegetation. This study provides a scientific basis for evaluating the harmful effects of cyanobacteria on submerged macrophytes.

Keywords: Cyanobacterial decomposition solution; Ecological damage; Fresh cyanobacteria; Submerged macrophytes.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biomass
Chlorophyll
Cyanobacteria*
Hydrocharitaceae*

Substances

Chlorophyll