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Potential use of Cu2+, K+ and Na+ for the destruction of Caulerpa taxifolia: differential effects on photosynthetic parameters

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Abstract

Chemical techniques were investigated in order to eradicate Caulerpa taxifolia, a green alga spreading at a remarkable rate in the Mediterranean Sea. The action of copper, potassium and sodium ions on survival rates and photosynthetic parameters was compared, in order to optimise the conditions of further in situ treatments. The lethal doses were determined and the impact of the studied cations on photosynthesis and respiration rates and PSII photochemistry was analysed from measurements of net oxygen exchanges and chlorophyll fluorescence. The Cu2+ concentrations required to obtain 100% mortality were 15 × 102 to 104 times lower than those of K+ and Na+. Respiration was slightly affected whatever the salt concentration,while photosynthesis could be totally inhibited depending on the applied treatment. Changes in the structure of the Ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO, EC: 4.1.1.39) were also detected when C. taxifolia under went cation treatments (10 mg L-1 Cu2+, 1h; 20 gL-1 K+, 3 h; 20 g L-1 Na+, 1 h). Given the high concentration and long incubation periods required with K+ and Na+ ions, these cations are not suitable to be used in situ. Our results make possible the utilisation of copper cations following technical approaches such asion-exchange textile covers, which allows a controlled release of cupric ions without dissemination in the marine environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Génie Biologique et Sciences des Aliments, Université de Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon C.c.24, 34095, Montpellier Cedex 5, France

    M. Uchimura & J.C. Baccou

  2. Laboratoire des Matériaux et Procédés Membranaires, UMR 5635, CNRS, 1919 route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France

    M. Uchimura, R. Sandeaux & J. Sandeaux

  3. Laboratoire GeneTrop, IRD, CIRAD-CP, 911, Av. Agropolis, BP 5045, 34032, Montpellier Cedex 1, France

    A. Rival

  4. Laboratoire de Morphogénèse Végétale Expérimentale, Université Paris XI, Bât. 360, 91405, ORSAY Cedex, France

    A. Nato

Authors
  1. M. Uchimura
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  2. A. Rival
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  3. A. Nato
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  4. R. Sandeaux
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  5. J. Sandeaux
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  6. J.C. Baccou
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Uchimura, M., Rival, A., Nato, A. et al. Potential use of Cu2+, K+ and Na+ for the destruction of Caulerpa taxifolia: differential effects on photosynthetic parameters. Journal of Applied Phycology 12, 15–23 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008108531280

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