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Homeostatic regulation of elemental stoichiometry by Lemna gibba L. G3 when nutrient interact with toxic metals

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Abstract

We investigated responses of Lemna gibba L. to exposure to UO2 2+ and AsO4 3− under variable PO4 3− concentration. Total plant phosphorus (Ptot) in L. gibba and accumulation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the media were quantified and tested for correlation with plant yield and initial concentrations of PO4 3−, UO2 2+ and AsO4 3−. The accumulation of DOC in medium was high under low PO4 3− supply and increased loading of either UO2 2+ or AsO4 3−. The Ptot was low in high initial concentration of UO2 2+ and AsO4 3− as well under acute low PO4 3− supply. The DOC accumulation correlated negatively to the Ptot. This reveals interaction between PO4 3− and UO2 2+ or AsO4 3− in the medium interferes with the uptake process of PO4 3−. Hence, the DOC accumulation is exudation of low molecular weight organic substance by L. gibba in response to the reduced Ptot: biomass ratio (carbon in the yield) due to delimited acquisition of phosphorus from the medium. It is a homeostatic regulation of the stoichiometry, which is disturbed during the interaction between PO4 3− and UO2 2+ or AsO4 3−. Further investigations are necessary to relate these interactions to traditional resource stoichiometry elements of C, N, and P.

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Acknowledgment

The study was done partially under the frameworks of BMBF Project grant 02WB0222 and NATO Project grant EST CLG 980821. PD Dr. Martin Mkandawire is very grateful to support and guidance from Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Pompe. Dr. Barbara Darr and Mr. Carsten Müller worked on the initial investigation of DOC exudation with Lemna gibba.

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  1. Institute of Materials Science and Max Bergmann Centre for Biomaterials, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany

    Martin Mkandawire

  2. Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany

    E. Gert Dudel

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  1. Martin Mkandawire
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Correspondence to Martin Mkandawire.

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Mkandawire, M., Gert Dudel, E. Homeostatic regulation of elemental stoichiometry by Lemna gibba L. G3 when nutrient interact with toxic metals. Ecotoxicology 21, 456–464 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-011-0805-z

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