Enhancement of total lipid yield by nitrogen,carbon, and iron supplementation in isolated microalgae

The biochemical contents and biodiesel production ability of three microalgal strains grown under different sodium nitrate, sodium carbonate, and ferric ammonium citrate (iron) levels were investigated. The highest biomass and lipid contents were found in Scenedesmus sp., Chlorella sp., and Chlamydomonas sp. when grown in normal BG‐11 containing sodium carbonate concentration at 0.03 g · L^?1, and in normal BG‐11 containing iron concentration (IC) at 0.009 or 0.012 g · L^?1. Increasing the sodium nitrate level increased the biomass content, but decreased the lipid content in all three microalgae. Among the three microalgae, Scenedesmus sp. showed the highest total lipid yield of 0.69 g · L^?1 under the IC of 0.012 g · L^?1. Palmitic and oleic acids were the major fatty acids of Scenedesmus sp. and Chlamydomonas sp. lipids. On the other hand, Chlorella sp. lipids were rich in palmitic, oleic, and linolenic acids, and henceforth contributing to poor biodiesel properties below the standard limits. The three isolated strains had a potential for biodiesel production. Nevertheless, Scenedesmus sp. from stone quarry pond water was the most suitable source for biodiesel production with tolerance toward the high concentration of sodium carbonate without the loss of its biodiesel properties.     

Uptake kinetics and storage capacity of dissolved inorganic phosphorus and corresponding N:P dynamics in Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta)

Dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP ) is an essential macronutrient for maintaining metabolism and growth in autotrophs. Little is known about DIP uptake kinetics and internal P‐storage capacity in seaweeds, such as Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta). Ulva lactuca is a promising candidate for biofiltration purposes and mass commercial cultivation. We exposed U. lactuca to a wide range of DIP concentrations (1–50 μmol · L^?1) and a nonlimiting concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN ; 5,000 μmol · L^?1) under fully controlled laboratory conditions in a “pulse‐and‐chase” assay over 10 d. Uptake kinetics were standardized per surface area of U. lactuca fronds. Two phases of responses to DIP ‐pulses were measured: (i) a surge uptake (V_S ) of 0.67 ± 0.10 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1 and (ii) a steady state uptake (V_M ) of 0.07 ± 0.03 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1. Mean internal storage capacity (ISC_P ) of 0.73 ± 0.13 μmol · cm^?2 was calculated for DIP . DIP uptake did not affect DIN uptake. Parameters of DIN uptake were also calculated: V_S  = 12.54 ± 1.90 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1, V_M  = 2.26 ± 0.86 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1, and ISC_N  = 22.90 ± 6.99 μmol · cm^?2. Combining ISC and V_M values of P and N, nutrient storage capacity of U. lactuca was estimated to be sufficient for ~10 d. Both P and N storage capacities were filled within 2 d when exposed to saturating nutrient concentrations, and uptake rates declined thereafter at 90% for DIP and at 80% for DIN . Our results contribute to understanding the ecological aspects of nutrient uptake kinetics in U. lactuca and quantitatively evaluating its potential for bioremediation and/or biomass production for food, feed, and energy.     

Environmental Optima for Seven Strains of Pseudochattonella (Dictyochophyceae,Heterokonta)

The ichthyotoxic flagellate Pseudochattonella has formed recurrent blooms in the North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat since 1998. Five strains of Pseudochattonella farcimen and two strains of P. verruculosa were examined in an assay comparing the light response of specific growth rates over a range of temperatures and salinities to get further knowledge on the autecology of members of this genus. Temperature optima were lower in P. farcimen (9°C–15°C) than in P. verruculosa (12°C–20°C). P. farcimen also showed a somewhat lower salinity optimum (18–26) than P. verruculosa (20–32). All strains showed light‐dependent growth responses reaching saturation between 18 and 52 μmol · photons · m^?2 · s^?1 at optimal temperature and salinity conditions. Compensation point estimates ranged from 4.2 to 15 μmol · photons · m^?2 · s^?1. Loss rates increased with temperature and were lowest at salinities close to optimal growth conditions. Blooms of P. farcimen have been recorded in nature under conditions more similar to those minimizing loss rates rather than those maximizing growth rates in our culture study.     

Microalgae for phosphorus removal and biomass production: a six species screen for dual‐purpose organisms

Microalgae biofuel production can be feasible when a second function is added, such as wastewater treatment. Microalgae differ in uptake of phosphorus (P) and growth, making top performer identification fundamental. The objective of this screen was to identify dual‐purpose candidates capable of high rates of P removal and growth. Three freshwater – Chlorella sp., Monoraphidium minutum sp., and Scenedesmus sp. – and three marine – Nannochloropsis sp., N. limnetica sp., and Tetraselmis suecica sp. – species were batch cultured in 250 mL flasks over 16 days to quantitate total phosphorus (TP) removal and growth as a function of P loads (control, and 5, 10, and 15 mg L^?1 enrichment of control). Experimental design used 100 μmol m^?2 s^?1 of light, a light/dark cycle of 14/10 h, and no CO₂ enrichment. Phosphorus uptake was dependent on species, duration of exposure, and treatment, with significant interaction effects. Growth was dependant on species and treatment. Not all species showed increased P removal with increasing P addition, and no species demonstrated higher growth. Nannochloropsis sp and N. limnetica sp. performed poorly across all treatments. Two dual‐purpose candidates were identified. At the 10 mg L^?1 treatment Monoraphidium minutum sp. removed 67.1% (6.66 mg L^?1 ± 0.60 SE) of TP at day 8, 79.3% (7.86 mg L^?1 ± 0.28 SE) at day 16, and biomass accumulation of 0.63 g L^?1 ± 0.06 SE at day 16. At the same treatment Tetraselmis suecica sp. removed 79.4% (6.98 mg L^?1 ± 0.24 SE) TP at day 8, 83.0% (7.30 mg L^?1 ± 0.60 SE) at day 16, and biomass of 0.55 g L^?1 ± 0.02 SE at day 16. These species merit further study using high‐density wastewater cultures and lipid profiling to assess suitability for a nutrient removal and biomass/biofuel production scheme.     

Light respiration by subtropical seaweeds

Here, we report the first‐ever measurements of light CO₂ respiration rate (CRR) by seaweeds. We measured the influence of temperature (15–25°C) and light (irradiance from 60 to 670 μmol · m^?2 · s^?1) on the light CCR of two subtropical seaweed species, and measured the CRR of seven different seaweed species under the same light (150 μmol · m^?2 · s^?1) and temperature (25°C). There was little effect of irradiance on light CRR, but there was an effect of temperature. Across the seven species light CRR was similar to OCR (oxygen consumption rate in the dark), with the exception of a single species. The outlier species was a coralline alga, and the higher light CRR was probably driven by calcification. CRR could be estimated from OCR, as well as carbon photosynthetic rates from oxygen photosynthetic rates, which suggests that previous studies have probably provided good estimations of gross photosynthesis for seaweeds.     

Survival in low light: photosynthesis and growth of a red alga in relation to measured in situ irradiance

Reduced light availability for benthic primary producers as a result of anthropogenic activities may be an important driver of change in coastal seas. However, our knowledge of the minimum light requirements for benthic macroalgae limits our understanding of how these changes may affect primary productivity and the functioning of coastal ecosystems. This knowledge gap is particularly acute in deeper water, where the impacts of increased light attenuation will be most severe. We examined the minimum light requirements of Anotrichium crinitum, which dominates near the maximum depth limit for macroalgae throughout New Zealand and Southern Australia, and is a functional analog of rhodophyte macroalgae in temperate low‐light (deep‐water) habitats throughout the world. These data show that A. crinitum is a shade‐adapted seaweed with modest light requirements for the initiation of net photosynthesis (1.49–2.25 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1) and growth (0.12–0.19 mol photons · m^?2 · d^?1). A. crinitum maintains high photosynthetic efficiency and pigment content and a low C:N ratio throughout the year and can maintain biomass under sub‐compensation (critical) light levels for at least 5 d. Nevertheless, in situ photon flux is less than the minimum light requirement for A. crinitum on at least 103 d per annum and is rarely sufficient to saturate growth. These findings reinforce the importance of understanding the physiological response of macroalgae at the extremes of environmental gradients and highlight the need to establish minimum thresholds that modification of the subtidal light environment should not cross.     

Process optimization and modeling for the cultivation of Nannochloropsis sp. and Tetraselmis striata via response surface methodology

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal physical process conditions for the cultivation of locally isolated strains of Nannochloropsis sp. and Tetraselmis striata to achieve maximum growth rate. It was essential to evaluate biomass production at different agitation rates, light intensities, and temperature levels. Central composite design and response surface methodology were applied to design the experiments and optimize the cultivation process for Nannochloropsis sp. and T. striata. The specific growth rate of 0.250 d^?1 was obtained for Nannochloropsis sp. cells under the light intensity of 54 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1, at the agitation rate of 151 rpm in 24.5°C. The optimal physical process conditions for T. striata were obtained under the light intensity of 56 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1 in 25.5°C at the agitation rate of 151 rpm in 25.5°C, resulting in a specific growth rate of 0.226 d^?1. The predicted values were justified by the verification tests. Good agreement between the predicted values and the experimental values confirmed the validity of the models for the cultivation of microalgal strains. In this article, the noteworthy result was that temperature was a dominant factor in obtaining high chl‐a content for Nannochloropsis sp., whereas the growth of T. striata strongly depended on light exposure.     

Differential effects of changes in spectral irradiance on photoacclimation,primary productivity and growth in Rhodomonas salina (Cryptophyceae) and Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyceae) in simulated blackwater environments

The underwater light field in blackwater environments is strongly skewed toward the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum due to blue light absorption by colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM). Exposure of phytoplankton to full spectrum irradiance occurs only when cells are mixed up to the surface. We studied the potential effects of mixing‐induced changes in spectral irradiance on photoacclimation, primary productivity and growth in cultures of the cryptophyte Rhodomonas salina and the diatom Skeletonema costatum. We found that these taxa have very different photoacclimation strategies. While S. costatum showed classical complementary chromatic adaption, R. salina showed inverse chromatic adaptation, a strategy previously unknown in the cryptophytes. Transfer of R. salina to periodic full spectrum light (PFSL) significantly enhanced growth rate (μ) by 1.8 times and primary productivity from 0.88 to 1.35 mg C · (mg Chl^?1) · h^?1. Overall, R. salina was less dependent on PFSL than was S. costatum, showing higher μ and net primary productivity rates. In the high‐CDOM simulation, carbon metabolism of the diatom was impaired, leading to suppression of growth rate, short‐term ¹⁴C uptake and net primary production. Upon transfer to PFSL, μ of the diatom increased by up to 3‐fold and carbon fixation from 2.4 to 6.0 mg C · (mg Chl^?1) · h^?1. Thus, a lack of PFSL differentially impairs primarily CO₂‐fixation and/or carbon metabolism, which, in turn, may determine which phytoplankton dominate the community in blackwater habitats and may therefore influence the structure and function of these ecosystems.     

Temperature‐dependent phagotrophy and phototrophy in a mixotrophic chrysophyte

The roles of temperature and light on grazing and photosynthesis were examined for Dinobryon sociale, a common freshwater mixotrophic alga. Photosynthetic rate was determined for D. sociale adapted to temperatures of 8, 12, 16, and 20°C under photosynthetically active radiation light irradiances of 25, 66, and 130 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1, with concurrent measurement of bacterial ingestion at all temperatures under medium and high light (66 and 130 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1). Rates of ingestion and photosynthesis increased with temperature to a maximum at 16°C under the two higher light regimes, and declined at 20°C. Although both light and temperature had a marked effect on photosynthesis, there was no significant difference in bacterivory at medium and high irradiances at any given temperature. At the lowest light condition (25 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1), photosynthesis remained low and relatively stable at all temperatures. D. sociale acquired the majority of carbon from photosynthesis, although the low photosynthetic rate without a concurrent decline in feeding rate at 8°C suggested 20%–30% of the carbon budget could be attributed to bacterivory at low temperatures. Grazing experiments in nutrient‐modified media revealed that this mixotroph had increased ingestion rates when either dissolved nitrogen or phosphorus was decreased. This work increases our understanding of environmental effects on mixotrophic nutrition. Although the influence of abiotic factors on phagotrophy and phototrophy in pure heterotrophs and phototrophs has been well studied, much less is known for mixotrophic organisms.     

Variability in iodine in temperate seaweeds and iodine accumulation kinetics of Fucus vesiculosus and Laminaria digitata (Phaeophyceae,Ochrophyta)

The biogeochemistry of iodine in temperate coastal ecosystems is largely mediated by macroalgae, which act as a major biological sink and source of iodine. Their capacity to accumulate, retain and release iodine has been associated with abiotic and biotic stressors, but quantitative information is limited. We evaluated the seasonal iodine retention capacity of eleven macroalgal species belonging to different systematic groups, collected from two sites in Ireland. Iodine accumulation and retention were then further quantified in Fucus vesiculosus and Laminaria digitata in relation to I^? concentrations in seawater and temperature. In general, iodine contents were ~10¹–10² μmol · (g dw)^?1 for Laminariales, 10⁰–10¹ μmol · (g dw)^?1 for Fucales, 10^?1–10⁰ μmol · (g dw)^?1 for Rhodophyta, and 10^?1 μmol · (g dw)^?1 for Chlorophyta. Typically, algal iodine contents were above average in winter and below average in summer. Iodine accumulation in F. vesiculosus and L. digitata depended on I^? availability and followed the Michaelis‐Menten kinetic. The ratio of maximum accumulation rate to half accumulation coefficient (ρ_max: K _t) was 2.4 times higher for F. vesiculosus than for L. digitata , suggesting that F. vesiculosus was more efficient in iodine accumulation. Both species exhibited a temperature‐dependent net loss of iodine, and only an exposure to sufficient external I^? concentrations compensated for this loss. This study revealed that both environmental (e.g., I^? in seawater, temperature) and organismal (e.g., the status of the iodine storage pool) variables determine retention and variability in iodine in temperate seaweeds.     

Ecophysiological responses of six coastal dune species along the eastern seaboard of South Africa

Ecophysiological responses of six co‐occurring dune species were investigated in a field study to determine whether they exhibit similar functional traits in response to environmental stressors. The species included Brachylaena discolor DC, Chrysanthemoides monilifera (L.), Scaevola plumieri (L.) Vahl, Canavalia maritima (Aubl.) Thouars, Gazania rigens (L.) Gaertn. and Cyperus esculentis L. Carbon dioxide exchange was saturated at 1,800 μmol m^?2 s^?1 in S. plumieri and at 1,000–1,300 μmol m^?2 s^?1 in the others. Maximal CO₂ exchange occurred during mid‐morning. Midday stomatal closure occurred in S. plumieri, C. monilifera and B. discolor, while stomatal regulation was achieved by maintaining low conductance. Photoinhibition was minimized by efficient mechanisms for light dissipation. Species such as S. plumieri, C. maritima and B. discolor exhibited sclerophylly, a trait for survival in saline and nutrient‐ and water‐deficient environments. Concentrations of Na⁺ and Cl^?1 were high in C. monilifera, G. rigens, B. discolor and S. plumieri, while the high C:N ratio in S. plumieri and C. esculentis suggested nitrogen deficiency. The responses of the six species to environmental stressors in terms of light use, gas exchange, ion and water relations and degree of sclerophylly suggest similar strategies for survival in the dune environment.     

Production rate estimation of mycosporine‐like amino acids in two Arctic melt ponds by stable isotope probing with NAH13CO3

The net carbon uptake rate and net production rate of mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs) were measured in phytoplankton from 2 different melt ponds (MPs; closed and open type pond) in the western Arctic Ocean using a ¹³C stable isotope tracer technique. The Research Vessel Araon visited ice‐covered western‐central basins situated at 82°N and 173°E in the summer of 2012, when Arctic sea ice declined to a record minimum. The average net carbon uptake rate of the phytoplankton in polycarbonate (PC) bottles in the closed MP was 3.24 mg C · m^?3 · h^?1 (SD = ±1.12 mg C · m^?3 · h^?1), while that in the open MP was 1.3 mg C · m^?3 · h^?1 (SD = ±0.05 mg C · m^?3 · h^?1). The net production rate of total MAAs in incubated PC bottles was highest (1.44 (SD = ±0.24) ng C · L^?1 · h^?1) in the open MP and lowest (0.05 (SD = ±0.003) ng C · L^?1 · h^?1) in the closed MP. The net production rate of shinorine and palythine in incubated PC bottles at the open MP presented significantly high values 0.76 (SD = ±0.12) ng C · L^?1 · h^?1and 0.53 (SD = ±0.06) ng C · L^?1 · h^?1. Our results showed that high net production rate of MAAs in the open MP was enhanced by a combination of osmotic and UVR stress and that in situ net production rates of individual MAA can be determined using ¹³C tracer in MPs in Arctic sea ice.     

The influence of light on copper‐limited growth of an oceanic diatom,Thalassiosira oceanica (Coscinodiscophyceae)

Thalassiosira oceanica (CCMP 1005) was grown over a range of copper concentrations at saturating and subsaturating irradiance to test the hypothesis that Cu and light were interacting essential resources. Growth was a hyperbolic function of irradiance in Cu‐replete medium (263 fmol Cu′ · L^?1) with maximum rates achieved at 200 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1. Lowering the Cu concentration at this irradiance to 30.8 fmol Cu′ · L^?1 decreased cellular Cu quota by 7‐fold and reduced growth rate by 50%. Copper‐deficient cells had significantly slower (P < 0.0001) rates of maximum, relative photosynthetic electron transport (rETR_max) than Cu‐sufficient cells, consistent with the role of Cu in photosynthesis in this diatom. In low‐Cu medium (30.8 fmol Cu′ · L^?1), growth rate was best described as a positive, linear function of irradiance and reached the maximum value measured in Cu‐replete cells when irradiance increased to 400 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1. Thus, at high light, low‐Cu concentration was no longer limiting to growth: Cu concentration and light interacted strongly to affect growth rate of T. oceanica (P < 0.0001). Relative ETR_max and Cu quota of cells grown at low Cu also increased at 400 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1 to levels measured in Cu‐replete cells. Steady‐state uptake rates of Cu‐deficient and sufficient cells were light‐dependent, suggesting that faster growth of T. oceanica under high light and low Cu was a result of light‐stimulated Cu uptake.     

DIEL VARIATIONS IN OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF IMANTONIA ROTUNDA (HAPTOPHYCEAE) AND THALASSIOSIRA PSEUDONANA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) EXPOSED TO DIFFERENT IRRADIANCE LEVELS1

Diel variations of cellular optical properties were examined for cultures of the haptophyte Imantonia rotunda N. Reynolds and the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana (Hust.) Hasle et Heimdal grown under a 14:10 light:dark (L:D) cycle and transferred from 100 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1 to higher irradiances of 250 and 500 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1. Cell volume and abundance, phytoplankton absorption coefficients, flow‐cytometric light scattering and chl fluorescence, and pigment composition were measured every 2 h over a 24 h period. Results showed that cell division was more synchronous for I. rotunda than for T. pseudonana. Several variables exhibited diel variability with an amplitude >100%, notably mean cell volume for the haptophyte and photoprotective carotenoids for both species, while optical properties such as flow‐cytometric scattering and chl a–specific phytoplankton absorption generally showed <50% diel variability. Increased irradiance induced changes in pigments (both species) and mean cell volume (for the diatom) and amplified diel variability for most variables. This increase in amplitude is larger for pigments (factor of 2 or more, notably for cellular photoprotective carotenoid content in I. rotunda and for photosynthetic pigments in T. pseudonana) than for optical properties (a factor of 1.5 for chl a–specific absorption, at 440 nm, in I. rotunda and a factor of 2 for the absorption cross‐section and the chl a–specific scattering in T. pseudonana). Consequently, diel changes in optical properties and pigmentation associated with the L:D cycle and amplified by concurrent changes in irradiance likely contribute significantly to the variability in optical properties observed in biooptical field studies.     

Nitrogen Utilization and Toxin Production by Two Diatoms of the Pseudo‐nitzschia pseudodelicatissima Complex: P. cuspidata and P. fryxelliana

The toxigenic diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia cuspidata, isolated from the U.S. Pacific Northwest, was examined in unialgal batch cultures to evaluate domoic acid (DA) toxicity and growth as a function of light, N substrate, and growth phase. Experiments conducted at saturating (120 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1) and subsaturating (40 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1) photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), demonstrate that P. cuspidata grows significantly faster at the higher PPFD on all three N substrates tested [nitrate (NO₃^?), ammonium (NH₄⁺), and urea], but neither cellular toxicity nor exponential growth rates were strongly associated with one N source over the other at high PPFD. However, at the lower PPFD, the exponential growth rates were approximately halved, and the cells were significantly more toxic regardless of N substrate. Urea supported significantly faster growth rates, and cellular toxicity varied as a function of N substrate with NO₃^?‐supported cells being significantly more toxic than both NH₄⁺‐ and urea‐supported cells at the low PPFD. Kinetic uptake parameters were determined for another member of the P. pseudodelicatissima complex, P. fryxelliana. After growth of these cells on NO₃^? they exhibited maximum specific uptake rates (V_max) of 22.7, 29.9, 8.98 × 10^?3 · h^?1, half‐saturation constants (K_s) of 1.34, 2.14, 0.28 μg‐at N · L^?1, and affinity values (α) of 17.0, 14.7, 32.5 × 10^?3 · h^?1/(μg‐at N · L^?1) for NO₃^?, NH₄⁺ and urea, respectively. These labo‐ratory results demonstrate the capability of P. cuspidata to grow and produce DA on both oxidized and reduced N substrates during both exponential and stationary growth phases, and the uptake kinetic results for the pseudo‐cryptic species, P. fryxelliana suggest that reduced N sources from coastal runoff could be important for maintenance of these small pennate diatoms in U.S. west coast blooms, especially during times of low ambient N concentrations.     

Baffinella frigidus gen. et sp. nov. (Baffinellaceae fam. nov., Cryptophyceae) from Baffin Bay: Morphology,pigment profile,phylogeny, and growth rate response to three abiotic factors

Twenty years ago an Arctic cryptophyte was isolated from Baffin Bay and given strain number CCMP 2045. Here, it was described using morphology, water‐ and non‐water soluble pigments and nuclear‐encoded SSU rDNA . The influence of temperature, salinity, and light intensity on growth rates was also examined. Microscopy revealed typical cryptophyte features but the chloroplast color was either green or red depending on the light intensity provided. Phycoerythrin (Cr‐PE 566) was only produced when cells were grown under low‐light conditions (5 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1). Non‐water‐soluble pigments included chlorophyll a , c ₂ and five major carotenoids. Cells measured 8.2 × 5.1 μm and a tail‐like appendage gave them a comma‐shape. The nucleus was located posteriorly and a horseshoe‐shaped chloroplast contained a single pyrenoid. Ejectosomes of two sizes and a nucleomorph anterior to the pyrenoid were discerned in TEM . SEM revealed a slightly elevated vestibular plate in the vestibulum. The inner periplast component consisted of slightly overlapping hexagonal plates arranged in 16–20 oblique rows. Antapical plates were smaller and their shape less profound. Temperature and salinity studies revealed CCMP 2045 as stenothermal and euryhaline and growth was saturated between 5 and 20 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1. The phylogeny based on SSU rDNA showed that CCMP 2045 formed a distinct clade with CCMP 2293 and Falcomonas sp. isolated from Spain. Combining pheno‐ and genotypic data, the Arctic cryptophyte could not be placed in an existing family and genus and therefore Baffinellaceae fam. nov. and Baffinella frigidus gen. et sp. nov. were proposed.     

Moderate weather extremes alter phytoplankton diversity—A microcosm study

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Strain variability in fatty acid composition of Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae) and its relation to differing ichthyotoxicity toward rainbow trout gill cells

Lipid profiles of three strains (Mexico, Australia, Japan) of Chattonella marina (Subrahmanyan) Hara et Chihara were studied under defined growth (phosphate, light, and growth phase) and harvest (intact and ruptured cells) conditions. Triacylglycerol levels were always <2%, sterols <7%, free fatty acids varied between 2 and 33%, and polar lipids were the most abundant lipid class (>51% of total lipids). The major fatty acids in C. marina were palmitic (16:0), eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5ω3), octadecatetraenoic (18:4ω3), myristic (14:0), and palmitoleic (16:1ω7c) acids. Higher levels of EPA were found in ruptured cells (21.4–29.4%) compared to intact cells (8.5–25.3%). In general, Japanese N‐118 C. marina was the highest producer of EPA (14.3–29.4%), and Mexican CMCV‐1 the lowest producer (7.9–27.1%). Algal cultures, free fatty acids from C. marina, and the two aldehydes 2E,4E‐decadienal and 2E,4E‐heptadienal (suspected fatty acid‐derived products) were tested against the rainbow trout fish gill cell line RTgill‐W1. The configuration of fatty acids plays an important role in ichthyotoxicity. Free fatty acid fractions, obtained by base saponification of total lipids from C. marina showed a potent toxicity toward gill cells (median lethal concentration, LC₅₀ (at 1 h) of 0.44 μg · mL^?1 in light conditions, with a complete loss of viability at >3.2 μg · mL^?1). Live cultures of Mexican C. marina were less toxic than Japanese and Australian strains. This difference could be related to differing EPA content, superoxide anion production, and cell fragility. The aldehydes 2E,4E‐decadienal and 2E,4E‐heptadienal also showed high impact on gill cell viability, with LC₅₀ (at 1 h) of 0.34 and 0.36 μg · mL^?1, respectively. Superoxide anion production was highest in Australian strain CMPL01, followed by Japanese N‐118 and Mexican CMCV‐1 strains. Ruptured cells showed higher production of superoxide anion compared to intact cells (e.g., 19 vs. 9.5 pmol · cell^?1 · hr^?1 for CMPL01, respectively). Our results indicate that C. marina is more ichthyotoxic after cell disruption and when switching from dark to light conditions, possibly associated with a higher production of superoxide anion and EPA, which may be quickly oxidized to produce more toxic derivates, such as aldehydes.     

SHIFT FROM CHLOROPHYTES TO CYANOBACTERIA IN BENTHIC MACROALGAE ALONG A GRADIENT OF NITRATE DEPLETION1

A survey of the spatial distribution of benthic macroalgae in a fluvial lake of the St. Lawrence River (Lake Saint‐Pierre, Quebec, Canada) revealed a shift in composition from chlorophytes to cyanobacteria along the flow path of nutrient‐rich waters originating from tributaries draining farmlands. The link between this shift and changes in water quality characteristics was investigated by sampling at 10 sites along a 15 km transect. Conductivity, current, light extinction, total phosphorus (TP; >25 μg P · L^?1), and ammonium (8–21 μg N · L^?1) remained fairly constant along the transect in contrast to nitrate concentrations, which fell sharply. Filamentous and colonial chlorophytes [Cladophora sp. and Hydrodictyon reticulatum (L.) Bory] dominated in the first 5 km where nitrate concentrations were >240 μg N · L^?1. A mixed assemblage of chlorophytes and cyanobacteria characterized a 1 km transition zone where nitrate decreased to 40–80 μg N · L^?1. In the last section of the transect, nitrate concentrations dropped below 10 μg N · L^?1, and cyanobacteria (benthic filamentous mats of Lyngbya wollei Farl. ex Gomont and epiphytic colonies of Gloeotrichia) dominated the benthic community. The predominance of nitrogen‐fixing, potentially toxic cyanobacteria likely resulted from excessive nutrient loads and may affect nutrient and trophic dynamics in the river.     

Microbial physiology and soil CO2 efflux after 9 years of soil warming in a temperate forest – no indications for thermal adaptations

Thermal adaptations of soil microorganisms could mitigate or facilitate global warming effects on soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition and soil CO₂ efflux. We incubated soil from warmed and control subplots of a forest soil warming experiment to assess whether 9 years of soil warming affected the rates and the temperature sensitivity of the soil CO₂ efflux, extracellular enzyme activities, microbial efficiency, and gross N mineralization. Mineral soil (0–10 cm depth) was incubated at temperatures ranging from 3 to 23 °C. No adaptations to long‐term warming were observed regarding the heterotrophic soil CO₂ efflux (R₁₀ warmed: 2.31 ± 0.15 μmol m^?2 s^?1, control: 2.34 ± 0.29 μmol m^?2 s^?1; Q₁₀ warmed: 2.45 ± 0.06, control: 2.45 ± 0.04). Potential enzyme activities increased with incubation temperature, but the temperature sensitivity of the enzymes did not differ between the warmed and the control soils. The ratio of C : N acquiring enzyme activities was significantly higher in the warmed soil. Microbial biomass‐specific respiration rates increased with incubation temperature, but the rates and the temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀ warmed: 2.54 ± 0.23, control 2.75 ± 0.17) did not differ between warmed and control soils. Microbial substrate use efficiency (SUE) declined with increasing incubation temperature in both, warmed and control, soils. SUE and its temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀ warmed: 0.84 ± 0.03, control: 0.88 ± 0.01) did not differ between warmed and control soils either. Gross N mineralization was invariant to incubation temperature and was not affected by long‐term soil warming. Our results indicate that thermal adaptations of the microbial decomposer community are unlikely to occur in C‐rich calcareous temperate forest soils.