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The interactive effects of UV-B radiation and a herbicide on uptake and allocation of carbon in two strains of the green algaScenedesmus

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Abstract

We examined the effects of UV B radiation on14C-uptake rates and carbon assimilation into the major end-products of photosynthesis of the green algaScenedesmus in the presence and absence of the triazine herbicide simetryn. Experiments were conducted using both a herbicide-susceptible and herbicide-tolerant strains ofScenedesmus. Three different UV-B dose rates were used as well as a light control. The lowest dose rate was almost the same level as in subsurface of ponds and lakes, while the other two were slightly lower and higher than natural sunlight on the surface of ponds and lakes, respectively. Total uptake rates of14C were not reduced by the UV B irradiation alone even at the highest dose rate. However, in the presence of the herbicide, uptake rates were clearly reduced by the highest dose rate of UV-B concomitant with increasing herbicide concentrations in the herbicide-susceptible strain. On the other hand, the proportion of lipid fraction was slightly reduced by all the UV-B treatments in the herbicide-susceptible strain even in the absence of the herbicide. In the herbicide-tolerant strain, uptake rates were not affected by UV-B radiation or by the herbicide. These facts indicated that UV-B effects could be smaller than predicted. It may be important to examine combined effects of UV-B and other anthropogenic and/or natural stresses for assessing actual UV-B effects in the field.

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Abbreviations

HS:

Herbicide Susceptible

HT:

Herbicide Tolerant

PAR:

Photosynthetically Active Radiation (400–700 nm)

UV-B:

Ultraviolet radiation ranging from 280–320 nm

UVA:

Ultraviolet radiation ranging from 320–400 nm

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute for Environmental Studies, 305, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    Fumie Kasai

  2. National Hydrology Research Institute, 11 Innovation Blvd., S7N 3H5, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Michael T. Arts

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  1. Fumie Kasai
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  2. Michael T. Arts
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Kasai, F., Arts, M.T. The interactive effects of UV-B radiation and a herbicide on uptake and allocation of carbon in two strains of the green algaScenedesmus . Aquatic Ecology 31, 261–272 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02493513

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