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Exposure to chronic and high dissolved copper concentrations impedes meiospore development of the kelps Macrocystis pyrifera and Undaria pinnatifida (Ochrophyta)

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 16:24 authored by Leal, PP, Catriona HurdCatriona Hurd, Sander, SG, Kortner, B, Roleda, MY
Copper in low natural concentrations is essential for cell metabolism but in excess it becomes extremely toxic to aquatic life, including to the early life stages of marine macroalgae. This work determined the effects of copper exposure on meiospore development of two kelp species, the native Macrocystis pyrifera and invasive Undaria pinnatifida. After settlement, meiospores were exposed to nominal copper concentrations of control (no added copper), 100, 200, 300 and 400 μg L−1 Cu for 9 days. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of total dissolved copper (CuT) concentrations in the blanks showed that nominal copper concentrations were reduced to 54, 91, 131 and 171 μg L−1 CuT, respectively, indicating that > 50% of the dissolved copper was adsorbed onto the culture vessel walls. In the media with meiospores, the dissolved copper concentrations decreased to 39, 86, 97 and 148 μg L−1 CuT in M. pyrifera and to 39, 65, 97 and 146 μg L−1 CuT in U. pinnatifida, indicating that 6–15% of the dissolved copper was adsorbed by the cells. For both species, meiospores germinated in all copper treatments, with germination decreasing with increasing copper concentration. However, gametophyte growth and sexual differentiation were arrested under all copper treatments. The effective copper concentration causing 50% of arrested germination (Cu-EC50) was 157 and 231 μg L−1 CuT for M. pyrifera and U. pinnatifida, respectively. The higher Cu-EC50 for U. pinnatifida suggests ecological success for the invasive species in copper-polluted environments; however, the subsequent inhibition of gametogenesis under all copper treatments indicated no difference in copper tolerance between both kelp early life stages. We compare our results with the literature available on the effects of copper on the development of early life stages of brown seaweed (Laminariales and Fucales) and discuss the importance of reporting actual experimental dissolved copper concentrations and the necessity of standardizing the response variables measured in macroalgal copper ecotoxicology.

History

Publication title

Phycologia

Volume

55

Pagination

12-20

ISSN

0031-8884

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Int Phycological Soc

Place of publication

New Business Office, Po Box 1897, Lawrence, USA, Ks, 66044-8897

Rights statement

Copyright? 2016 International Phycological Society

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems

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