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Influence of exogenous urea on photosynthetic pigments, 14CO2 uptake, and urease activity in Elodea densa—environmental implications

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Abstract

This paper analyzes the effect of exogenous urea in increased concentration gradient (0, 100, 500 and 1,000 mg L−1) on photosynthetic pigments (measured spectrophotometrically), uptake of 14CO2 (using radioisotope), and urease activity (by measuring ammonia with Nessler’s reagent) in leaves of Elodea densa Planch. We have observed that low concentration of urea (100 mg L−1) stimulates the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and intensifies photosynthesis in E. densa, whereas high concentration (1,000 mg L−1) suppresses these processes. Urease activity increased by approximately 2.7 and 8 fold when exogenous urea concentrations were 100 and 500 mg L−1, respectively. However, exogenous urea in high concentration (1,000 mg L−1) decreased urease activity by 1.5 fold compared to the control. The necessity of mitigating urea and other nitrogen-containing compounds (NH3 from urea) in water bodies has been discussed with emphasis on the potential for phytoremediation of urea using common water weed viz. E. densa.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Federal Program “Scientific and Scientific-Pedagogical Personnel of the Innovative Russia” (state contracts P1301 and 14.А18.21.0203). MNVP is thankful to the Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin Ekaterinburg, Russia, for the invitation as “visiting professor” to participate in the on-going research activities. The authors thank Mr. J. Koelmel, Fulbright Nehru Scholar from USA for verifying the English language of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Institute of Natural Sciences, Ural Federal University, Lenin Ave., 51, Ekaterinburg, Russia, 620000

    Maria Maleva, Galina Borisova, Nadezda Chukina & Galina Nekrasova

  2. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, 500046, India

    M. N. V. Prasad

Authors
  1. Maria Maleva
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  2. Galina Borisova
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  3. Nadezda Chukina
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  4. Galina Nekrasova
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  5. M. N. V. Prasad
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Correspondence to M. N. V. Prasad.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Maleva, M., Borisova, G., Chukina, N. et al. Influence of exogenous urea on photosynthetic pigments, 14CO2 uptake, and urease activity in Elodea densa—environmental implications. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 6172–6177 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1639-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1639-4

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