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Temperature influence on silver nanoparticles inhibitory effect on photosystem II photochemistry in two green algae, Chlorella vulgaris and Dunaliella tertiolecta

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 19, pages 1755–1762 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

In this study, the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the photosynthetic performance of two green algae, Chlorella vulgaris and Dunaliella tertiolecta, was investigated at 25°C and 31°C.

Methods

To induce AgNPs effect, algal cells were exposed for 24 h to concentrations varying from 0 to 10 mg/L. The polyphasic OJIP fluorescence transient was used to evaluate photosystem II (PSII).

Results

We show that growth media and temperature had different effects in AgNPs agglomerates formation and Zeta potential. When temperature conditions change, inhibitory effect of AgNPs also undergoes changes. Increase of temperature induced higher altering effects to PSII quantum yield, primary photosynthetic electron transport, and consequently higher decrease of total photosynthetic performance if compared to AgNPs effect alone. AgNPs has a negative effect on D. tertiolecta compared to C. vulgaris.

Conclusion

We conclude that temperature tends to enhance the toxic effects on aquatic alga and these alterations might have serious consequences on ecosystem equilibrium and aquatic plant communities.

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Abbreviations

ABS:

Absorption

Chl:

Chlorophyll

ET:

Energy flux for electron transport

F o :

Fluorescence intensity at 50 μs

F K :

Fluorescence intensity at 0.3 ms

F J :

Fluorescence intensity at 2 ms

F I :

Fluorescence intensity at 30 ms

F M :

Fluorescence intensity when all PSII reaction centers are closed

O–J–I–P:

Transient fluorescence induction transient defined by the names of its intermediate steps

P680 and P700:

The primary electron donors of photosystems II and I, respectively

PI:

Performance index

Q A and Q B :

Primary and secondary quinone electron acceptors of photosystem II, respectively

RC:

Reaction center

V I :

Relative variable Chl a fluorescence at the I step

V J :

Relative variable Chl a fluorescence at the J step

V t :

Relative variable Chl a fluorescence at time t

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC, Canada) grants awarded to R. Popovic. F. Perreault was supported by an NSERC PhD fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Quebec in Montreal, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada

    Abdallah Oukarroum, Stephanie Polchtchikov, François Perreault & Radovan Popovic

  2. Dawson College, 3040 Sherbrooke St. W, Westmount, Montreal, QC, H3Z 1A4, Canada

    Stephanie Polchtchikov

Authors
  1. Abdallah Oukarroum
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  2. Stephanie Polchtchikov
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  3. François Perreault
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  4. Radovan Popovic
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Correspondence to Radovan Popovic.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Oukarroum, A., Polchtchikov, S., Perreault, F. et al. Temperature influence on silver nanoparticles inhibitory effect on photosystem II photochemistry in two green algae, Chlorella vulgaris and Dunaliella tertiolecta . Environ Sci Pollut Res 19, 1755–1762 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0689-8

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Keywords

  • Silver nanoparticles
  • Chlorella vulgaris
  • Dunaliella tertiolecta
  • Chlorophyll a fluorescence
  • Temperature