Effects of Lanthanum on the Photosystem II Energy Fluxes and Antioxidant System of Chlorella Vulgaris and Phaeodactylum Tricornutum

The rare earth elements are widely used in agricultural and light industry development. They promote the growth of crop seedlings, enhance root development and change the metal properties. Due to the large amount of rare earth minerals mined in China, rare earth elements have been detected in both coastal and estuary areas. They cause pollution and threaten the health of aquatic organisms and human beings. This study investigates the effects of lanthanum on two marine bait algae, and analyzes the changes in the photosynthetic and antioxidant systems of the two algae. The results show that rare earth elements have significant inhibitory effects upon the two algae. The OJIP kinetic curve value decreases with an increasing concentration of La(NO₃)₃ ·6H₂O. The parameters of the fluorescence value were analyzed. The ABS/RC increases and the DI₀/RC decreases during the first 24 h after exposure. The effects on the photosynthetic and antioxidant systems at low concentrations (both EC₁₀ and EC₂₀) show that the TR₀/ABS increases, and the ET₀/RC, ABS/RC, and DI₀/RC has a decreasing trend after 30 min. However, after 24 h, normal levels were restored. In addition, the study finds that the TR₀/ABS increases after 24 h, leading to an increase in reactive oxygen species. The antioxidant system analysis also confirms the increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD and GSH. The experiment is expected to support the marine pollution of rare earths and the theoretical data of the impact on marine primary producers. View Full-Text