Effect of chromate ions on marine microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

Effect of chromate ions on the culture of a marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum was studied using an M-PEA-2 fluorimeter, which carries out simultaneous measurement of fluorescence induction and redox transformations of the P700 pigment within a millisecond range. Chromate ions were shown to inhibit electron transport in PS II and decrease the rate of QА reduction. This results in decreased values of the quantum yield of electron transport in PS II (ϕEo) and performance index (PI ABS), lower rates of P700 reduction, and increased energy (DI0/RC) and ΔpH-dependent nonphotochemical quenching (q E ). Emergence of the slow component of P700 reduction was observed, indicating the activation of cyclic transport in the presence of chromate. Performance index (PI ABS), which was the most sensitive parameter, may be recommended for detection of chromate ions at early stages of their toxic action. The fluorescence parameter F O is promising application in biotesting to assess the algal growth rates.

[Monitoring of the Moskva River Water Using Microbiological Parameters and Chlorophyll a Fluorescence].

The results of investigations of three Moskva River sites with different degree of pollution using a complex of microbiological characteristics and the parameters of chlorophyll a fluorescence are presented. We determined that the bacterioplankton seasonal dynamics at less polluted waters (Tushino and Vorobyovy Gory) were similar and differed significantly from one in more polluted waters (Dzerzhinskii). The number of bacteria with active electron transport chain, as well as their share in the bacterioplankton structure, was higher in the water of Dzerzhinskii (average annual values of 0.23 x 10(6) cells/mL and 14%), that in the less polluted water of Tushino and Vorobyovy Gory (0.14 x 10(6) cells/mL; 6% and 0.15 x 10(6) cells/mL; 7%, respectively). From April to October, the content of chlorophyll a and its photosynthetic activity were the highest in Tushino. In Dzerzhinskii, during spring the increase in photosynthetic activity commenced earlier and was more intensive that the increase in chlorophyll a content, i.e., the increase in phytoplankton biomass was temporarily suppressed. We suggest association of this phenomenon with suppression of organic matter synthesis by phytoplankton due to the high water pollution in Dzerzhinskii. The second autumn peak of chlorophyll a content, that was typical of clear water and was observed in Tushino, did not occur in Dzerzhinskii. We recommend combined application of these microbiological parameters and characteristics of chlorophyll a fluorescence for a monitoring.

[Effect of Methylmercury on the Light Dependence Fluorescence Parameters in a Green Alga Chlamydomonas moewusii].

The effect of a dangerous toxic substance, methylmercury, on light dependence curves of chlorophyll fluorescence in Chlamydomonas moewusii was studied. We found low concentration of methylmercury (10(-7) M) to cause a decrease in the relative rate of the non-cyclic electron transport activity of PS 2, a decline in the maximum utilization of light energy (α), and a decline in the saturation light intensity (E(s)). Non-photochemical fluorescence quenching increased after short-term exposure and decreased in the course of prolonged incubation. These parameters were more sensitive to the action of the toxic substance than the widely used parameter F(V)/F(M), which reflects the maximum quantum yield of PS 2. We propose the use of the method of fast measurement of light dependence curves of fluorescence to detect the changes in algal cells at the early stages of exposure to mercury salts.

[Effect of silver nanoparticles on the parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence and P700 reaction in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii].

Acute toxicity of silver nanoparticle (AgNP) for photosynthesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was studied using an M-PEA2 fluorimeter. Analysis of the fluorescence induction curves in the presence of AgNP at low concentrations revealed inhibited electron transport in the PS2 photosystem and increased content of Q(B)-nonreducing centers. No direct effect of AgNP on the reactions of P700 oxidation in PS1 was found, while energization of the photosynthetic membranes was affected. Investigation of the parameters of the prompt and delayed fluorescence is proposed as a method for early detection of AgNP in the environment.

[The effect of phenols on the parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence and reaction of P700 in the green algae Scenedesmus quadricauda].

The effect of phenols, present in drains of the tsellyulozo-paper industry, on photosynthesis of the microalgae Scenedesmus quadricauda has been studied. The analysis of induction curves of the slowed-down fluorescence and light curves of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence of microalgae Scenedesmus quadricauda is carried out. It was observed that energization of photosynthetic membranes was inhibited at low concentration of phenol and pyrocatechin (0.1 mM). At higher concentrations phenol and pyrocatechin inhibited electron transport in FSII and increased a share of QB not restoring centers. As a result of it the rate of P700 pigment regeneration slowed down. The results obtained indicate that parameters of induction curves of the fast and slowed-down fluorescence can be used for detecting phenol and pyrocatechin in the environment at early stages of toxic effects.

[Cryptomonad alga Rhodomonas sp. (Cryptophyta, Pyrenomonadaceae) bloom in the redox zone of the basins separating from the White Sea].

Bloom of a cryptomonad alga Rhodomonas sp. (Cryptophyta, Pyrenomonadaceae) was observed in the chemocline of saline basins separating from the White Sea, resulting in red coloration of the relevant water layer. According to the sequence of the 18S nuclear rRNA gene, this species was identical to Rhodomonas sp.RCC2020 (GenBank accession no. JN934672) from the Beaufort Sea. The presence of the red layer formed by mass development of Rhodomonas sp. is considered as an indicator of a certain stage of separation of a basin from the sea.

[Promising microbial consortia for producing biofertilizers for rice fields].

Two cyanobacterial cultures from rice paddies of Kyzylorda region, Kazakhstan were isolated and characterized: Anabaena variabilis and Nostoc calsicola. Based on these cultures, new consortia ofcyanobacteria, microalgae and Azotobacter were developed: ZOB-1 (Anabaena variabilis, Chlorella vulgaris, and Azotobacter sp.) and ZBOB-2 (Nostoc calsicola, Chlorella vulgaris, and Azotobacter sp.). High growth rate and photosynthetic activity of microalgae were observed in these consortia. The active consotrium ZOB-1 was selected, which improvd germination and growth of rice plants. ZOB-1 was recommended as a biostimulator and biofertilizer for crops.

[Study of the effect of methylmercury and copper ions on primary photosynthesis processes in the green algae Chlamydomonas moevusii using the parameters of kinetic curves of the variable of chlorophyll fluorescence].

The effect of methylmercury and copper ions on the kinetics of light induction and dark relaxation of the variable of chlorophyll a fluorescence has been studied on cultures of the microalgae Chlamydomonas moevusii. It was shown that the toxicants added at concentrations that induce no decrease in photochemical activity of PS II (F(v)/F(M)) affect the electron transport on the acceptor side of PS II, the nonphotochemical quenching of excitation in the antenna, and the reoxidation of the quinone pool. At low concentrations, methylmercury produced a more toxic effect. The results obtained indicate that this approach can be used for detecting the changes in plant and algae cells at the early stages of the action of toxicants.

Probing of photosynthetic reactions in four phytoplanktonic algae with a PEA fluorometer.

High-resolution light-induced kinetics of chlorophyll fluorescence (OJIP transients) were recorded and analyzed in cultures of diatoms (Thalassiosira weissflogii, Chaetoceros mulleri) and dinoflagellates (Amphidinium carterae, Prorocentrum minimum). Fluorescence transients showed the rapid exponential initial rise from the point O indicating low connectivity between PS II units and high absorption cross-section of PS II antenna. Dark-adapted dinoflagellates revealed capability to maintain the PS I-mediated re-oxidation of the PQ pool at the exposure to strong actinic light that may lead to the underestimation of F(M) value. In OJIP transients recorded in phytoplanktonic algae the fluorescence yield at the point O exceeded F(O) level because Q(A) has been already partly reduced at 50 micros after the illumination onset. PEA was also employed to study the recovery of photosynthetic reactions in T. weissflogii during incubation of nitrogen starved cells in N-replete medium. N limitation caused the impairment of electron transport between Q(A) and PQs, accumulation of closed PS II centers, and the reduced ability to generate transmembrane DeltapH upon illumination, almost fully restored during the recovery period. The recovered cells showed much higher values of NPQ than control ones suggesting maximization of photoprotection mechanisms in the population with a 'stress history.'

[Effect of mercuric chloride and methylmercury on photosynthetic activity of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii by a fluorescent method]. / Izuchenie deistviia khlorida rtuti i metilrtuti na fotosinteticheskuiu aktivnost' diatomovoi vodorosli Thalassiosira weissflogii fluorestsentnymi metodami.

It was shown by the pulse-amplitude modulation fluorescent method that, at a weak illumination (6 microE m-2.s-1), methylmercury at a concentration of 10(-6)-10(-7) M decreases the photochemical activity of the reaction centers of photosystem II in cells of microalgae Thalassiosira weissflogii after a prolonged lag phase. Cells resistant to methylmercury at these low concentrations were detected by the microfluorimetric method. Chloride mercury decreased the activity of photosystem II of the algae only when at higher concentrations. Both toxicants at a concentration of 10(-6) M decreased the rate of recovery of photoinduced damage of centers of photosystem II and led to an increase in the energization component of nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching. These results indicate that the complex of fluorescent methods can be used to monitor early changes in the photosynthetic apparatus of algae in response to the toxic action of heavy metals.

Quantification and prediction of the detoxifying properties of humic substances related to their chemical binding to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Effects of 27 different humic materials on the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were studied for crustacean Daphnia magna. Sources included isolated humic acids, fulvic acids, and their combination from soil, peat, and freshwater. The PAH used were pyrene, fluoranthene, and anthracene. The observed reduction in toxicity of PAH in the presence of humic substances (HS) was shown to be a result of the detoxification effect caused by the chemical binding of PAH to HS and of the direct effect of HS on D. magna. An approach was developed to quantify the detoxifying impact of humic materials related to their chemical binding to PAH with a use of the "constant of detoxification" or "toxicological partition coefficient" K(oc)D. The latter was proposed to determine by fitting the experimental relationships of the detoxification effect versus concentration of HS. The obtained K(oc)D values were well tracked by the corresponding partition coefficients determined by the fluorescence quenching technique (K(oc)fq): K(oc)D=b x K(oc)fq, b (mean+/-Cl, n=26, P=95%)=2.6+/-0.3, 4.6+/-0.6, and 6.0+/-1.4 for pyrene, fluoranthene, and anthracene, respectively. The predictive relationships between the structure and detoxifying properties of humic materials in relation to PAH were developed. It was shown that the magnitude of the K(oc)D values correlated closely with the aromaticity of humic materials characterized with the 13C NMR descriptors (sigma(C)Ar, sigma(C)Ar/sigma(C)Alk) and atomic H/C ratio. The obtained relationships showed the highest detoxifying potential of the humic materials enriched with aromatics and allowed a conclusion on the chemical binding as the governing mechanism of the mitigating action of HS on the toxicity of PAH.

[The use of fluorescent methods for measuring thr photosystem II activity in biomonitoring of phytoplankton]. / Ispol'zovanie fluorestsentnykh metodov izmereniia aktivnosti fotosistemy II pri biomonitoringe fitoplanktona.

The regulation of activity of the photosystem II in microalgae under the influence of environmental factors was studied. Luminescent methods for biomonitoring the phytoplankton in situ are proposed.

Two types of PS II centres as manifested by light saturation of delayed fluorescence from DCMU-treated chloroplasts.

Intensity of 2 s delayed fluorescence (DF) as a function of steady-state actinic light intensity was investigated in pea chloroplasts in the presence of 10 µM DCMU. The light saturation curve of DF was approximated by a sum of two hyperbolic components which differ by an order of magnitude in the half-saturating incident light intensity. The relative contribution of the amplitudes of the components was practically independent of cation (Na(+) and Mg(2+)) concentration and a short-term heating of the chloroplasts at 45°C. The component saturating at low incident light intensity was selectively suppressed by 100 µM DCMU or by 1 µmol µg(-1) Chl oleic acid. DF intensity following excitation by a single saturating 15 µs flash was equal to the intensity of the component saturating at a low incident light intensity. Upon flash excitation, the maximum steady-state DF level was found to be attained only after a series of saturating flashes. It is concluded that the two components of the DF light saturation curves are related to PS II centres heterogeneity in quantum yield of stabilization of the reduced primary quinone acceptor.

Multiple action sites for photosystem II herbicides as revealed by delayed fluorescence.

DCMU (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) at concentrations higher than 10 µM suppresses the second time range delayed fluorescence (DF) of pea chloroplasts, due to inhibition of the oxidizing side of photosystem II (PS II). The inhibition of the reducing side of PS II resulting in the suppression of millisecond DF takes place at much lower (∼0.01 µM) DCMU concentrations. The variation in the herbicide-affinities of the reducing and oxidizing sides of PS II is not the same for DCMU and phenol-type herbicides. The DCMU-affinity of the oxidizing side considerably increases and approximates that of the reducing side upon mild treatment of chloroplasts with oleic acid. Probably this is a result of some changes in the environment of the binding site at the oxidizing side. At DCMU concentrations higher than 1 mM, the chaotropic action of DCMU leads to the generation of millisecond luminescence which is not related to the functioning of the reaction centres.

[Effect of pH and substitution of H2O for D2O on oxygen liberation by chloroplasts]. / Vliianie pH i zameshcheniia H2O na D2O na vydelenie kisloroda khloroplastami.

The rate of dark relaxation of the oxygen evolving system in chloroplasts is shown to depend on the value of the surface charge of some chloroplast membrane component having protein nature and isoelectric point at pH 6.0. The substitution of H2O for D2O leads to isoelectric point shift of this protein.

[Polarization of prompt and delayed fluorescence of photosystem II]. / Poliarizatsiia bystroi i zamedlennoi fluorestsentsii fotosistemy II.

Prompt and delayed fluorescence polarization of the oriented samples of synchronous. Chlorella vulgaris culture is investigated. Two main components with different polarization are revealed in the prompt and delayed fluorescence, however its ratio depends on the emission nature. The delayed fluorescence polarization ratio indicates that the reaction center pigment of PS-II dipole transition moment is in the photosynthetic membrane plane. The heterogeneity of variable and delayed PS-II fluorescence emission can be explained by the existence of two components: one of them is related to pigment-protein complex of PS-II (PPC-II) structurally and migrationally connected with LH-complex (alpha-component), but the other one--to PPC-II setting apart from the main LH-complex bulk (beta-component).

Ultrastructural organization of chloroplast membranes in mutants of Pisum sativum L. with impaired activity in the photosystems.

The ultrastructural organization and the photosynthesis reactions of chloroplast membranes were studied in three lethal mutants of Pisum sativum, Chl-1, Chl-19 and Chl-5, all lacking the capacity to evolve oxygen. The rates of 2,6-dichloroindophenol reduction, delayed fluorescence and electron-spin-resonance signal 1 indicate that Chl-1 and Chl-19 have an impaired activity in photosystem II (PS II), while in Chl-5 the electron transport is blocked between PS I and the reactions of CO2 fixation. Ultrathin sectioning demonstrates the presence of giant grana in the chloroplasts of Chl-1 and Chl-19, while the chloroplast structure of the Chl-5 is very similar to that of the wild-type. The grana of the Chl-19 mutant contain large multilamellar regions of tightly packed membranes. When the chloroplast membranes were studied by freeze-fracture, the exoplasmic and protoplasmic fracture faces (EF and PF, respectively) in both stacked and unstacked membranes were found to show large differences in particle concentrations and relative population area (per µm(2)), and also in particle size distribution, between all mutant chloroplast membranes and the wild-type. A close correlation between increasing kmt (ratio of particle concentrations on PF/EF) and PS II activity was observed. The differences in particle concentrations on both fracture faces in different regions of the intact chloroplast membranes of the wild-type are the consequence of a rearrangement of existing membrane components by lateral particle movements since quantitative measurements demonstrate almost complete conservation of intramembrane particles in number and size during the stacking of stroma thylakoid membranes. The results indicating particle movements strongly support the concept that the chloroplast membranes have a highly dynamic structure.

[Degradation of Anacystis nidulans cells by the action of cyanophage AS-1]. / Degradatsiia kletok Anacystis nidulans pri deistvii tsianofaga AS-1.

The sequence of degradation of the photosynthetic apparatus of Anacystia nidulans after virus infection was studied using different methods. In the first stages of pathogenesis changes in the structure and functional activity of the photosynthetic apparatus were shown to be insignificant. At the stages of marked degradation the system of oxygen release and light collecting complex are destroyed gradually. The reaction center of photosystem I is the most resistant to degeneration.