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Plants
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The Impact of Environmental Factors on Algae and Cyanobacteria
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The Impact of Environmental Factors on Algae and Cyanobacteria

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 14142

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Philippe Juneau

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Guest Editor
Department of Biological Sciences, GRIL-EcotoQ-TOXEN, Ecotoxicology of Aquatic Microorganisms Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, H3C 3P8, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, Canada
Interests: algae; cyanobacteria; plant physiology; environmental factors; pollution; ecotoxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Marcelo Pedrosa Gomes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratório de Fisiologia de Plantas sob Estresse, Departamento de Botânica, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Avenida Coronel Francisco H. dos Santos, 100, Centro Politécnico Jardim das Américas, C.P. 19031, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, Brazil
Interests: plant physiology; ecotoxicology; emerging contaminants; harmful algae; antibiotics; pesticides; phytoremediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Both freshwater and marine algae and cyanobacteria are subjected to various and changing environmental factors (i.e., light, temperature, pH, salinity, .). In addition, the increasing water contamination by emerging contaminants (such as pesticides, pharmaceutical and personal care products, cyanotoxins, nano-particles and micro-plastics) represents nowadays a new source of stress to the algal and cyanobacterial communities. Although the individual impacts of these environmental stressors are, for most of them well characterized, their interactions are much less studied. Therefore, with this special issue we aim to collect articles (original research-both field and lab studies-, perspectives, hypotheses, opinions and reviews) tackling questions related to the interactions of environmental factors on algal and cyanobacterial physiology, at levels ranging from the genome to the community. We also welcome studies regarding the bioremediation ability of algal and cyanobacterial species as well as the effect of climate changes on their bioremediation capacities.

Prof. Dr. Philippe Juneau
Prof. Dr. Marcelo Pedrosa Gomes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Algae
  • Cyanobacteria
  • Physiology
  • Metabolism
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Pesticides
  • Antibiotics
  • Harmful algae
  • Climate changes
  • Environmental factor interactions

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1675 KiB  
Article
Periphytic Algae and Cyanobacteria from the Rio Doce Basin Respond Differently to Metals and Salinity, Showing Different Potential for Bioremediation
by Marcelo Pedrosa Gomes, Letícia Yoshie Kochi, Patrícia Lawane Freitas, Cleber Cunha Figueredo and Philippe Juneau
Plants 2021, 10(11), 2349; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112349 - 30 Oct 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1583
Abstract
We have studied the isolated and combined effects of metals (Fe and Mn) and NaCl the on growth, physiology, and metal-uptake capacity of two photosynthetic periphytic species—Synechococcus elongatus (Cyanobacteria) and Chlorococcum infusionum (Chlorophyta)—isolated from an impacted area of the Rio Doce River [...] Read more.
We have studied the isolated and combined effects of metals (Fe and Mn) and NaCl the on growth, physiology, and metal-uptake capacity of two photosynthetic periphytic species—Synechococcus elongatus (Cyanobacteria) and Chlorococcum infusionum (Chlorophyta)—isolated from an impacted area of the Rio Doce River (Brazil) after the Fundão dam collapse. The effective concentrations found to reduce 10 and 50% growth were 15.2 and 31.6 mg Fe L−1, and 2.5 and 7.9 mg Mn L−1 for S. elongatus and 53.9 and 61.6 mg Fe L−1, and 53.2 and 60.9 mg Mn L−1 for C. infusionum. Although the metal toxicity was related to oxidative stress, both species showed activation of antioxidant systems under phytotoxic concentrations of Fe and Mn. By binding large concentrations of metals on its cell surface and thus avoiding their entrance into the cells, C. infusionum presents greater resistance to Fe and Mn than S. elongatus. Under environmental realistic concentrations of Fe and Mn in river water from the Rio Doce Basin, S. elongatus and C. infusionum showed a metal removal efficiency of 42 and 65% and 53 and 79%, respectively after 96 h. These species were insensitive to increased NaCl concentrations which, in addition, did not disrupt the metal removal capacity of the species. Due to their salt and metal tolerance, S. elongatus and C. infusionum can be used for the remediation of waters contaminated with Fe and Mn. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Factors on Algae and Cyanobacteria)
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13 pages, 1781 KiB  
Article
Interaction Effect of EDTA, Salinity, and Oxide Nanoparticles on Alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlamydomonas euryale
by Emilie Canuel, Cleiton Vaz, William Gerson Matias and David Dewez
Plants 2021, 10(10), 2118; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102118 - 06 Oct 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1748
Abstract
The interaction effects of organic ligand ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and oxide nanoparticles (magnetite Fe3O4-NPs and copper CuO-NPs) were investigated during a 72 h period on two green algal species—Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under freshwater conditions and Chlamydomonas euryale [...] Read more.
The interaction effects of organic ligand ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and oxide nanoparticles (magnetite Fe3O4-NPs and copper CuO-NPs) were investigated during a 72 h period on two green algal species—Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under freshwater conditions and Chlamydomonas euryale under saltwater conditions. Fe3O4-NPs had larger agglomerates and very low solubility. CuO-NPs, having smaller agglomerates and higher solubility, were more toxic than Fe3O4-NPs in freshwater conditions for similar mass-based concentrations, especially at 72 h under 100 mg L−1. Furthermore, the effect of EDTA increased nanoparticle solubility, and the salinity caused a decrease in their solubility. Our results on C. euryale showed that the increase in salinity to 32 g L−1 caused the formation of larger nanoparticle agglomerates, leading to a decrease in the toxicity impact on algal cells. In addition, EDTA treatments induced a toxicity effect on both freshwater and saltwater Chlamydomonas species, by altering the nutrient uptake of algal cells. However, C. euryale was more resistant to EDTA toxicity than C. reinhardtii. Moreover, nanoparticle treatments caused a reduction in EDTA toxicity, especially for CuO-NPs. Therefore, the toxicity impact caused by these environmental factors should be considered in risk assessment for metallic nanoparticles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Factors on Algae and Cyanobacteria)
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13 pages, 1302 KiB  
Article
Effects of Low Temperature, Nitrogen Starvation and Their Combination on the Photosynthesis and Metabolites of Thermosynechococcus E542: A Comparison Study
by Xingkang Li, Yuanmei Liang, Kai Li, Peng Jin, Jie Tang, Anna Klepacz-Smółka, Stanislaw Ledakowicz and Maurycy Daroch
Plants 2021, 10(10), 2101; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102101 - 04 Oct 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1802
Abstract
Both low temperature and nitrogen starvation caused chlorosis of cyanobacteria. Here, in this study, for the first time, we compared the effects of low temperature, nitrogen starvation, and their combination on the photosynthesis and metabolites of a thermophilic cyanobacterium strain, Thermosynechococcus E542. Under [...] Read more.
Both low temperature and nitrogen starvation caused chlorosis of cyanobacteria. Here, in this study, for the first time, we compared the effects of low temperature, nitrogen starvation, and their combination on the photosynthesis and metabolites of a thermophilic cyanobacterium strain, Thermosynechococcus E542. Under various culture conditions, the growth rates, pigment contents, and chlorophyll fluorescence were monitored, and the composition of alkanes, lipidomes, and carbohydrates were determined. It was found that low temperature (35 °C) significantly suppressed the growth of Thermosynechococcus E542. Nitrogen starvation at 45 °C and 55 °C did not affect the growth; however, combined treatment of low temperature and nitrogen starvation led to the lowest growth rate and biomass productivity. Both low temperature and nitrogen starvation caused significantly declined contents of pigments, but they resulted in a different effect on the OJIP curves, and their combination led to the lowest pigment contents. The composition of fatty acids and alkanes was altered upon low-temperature cultivation, while nitrogen starvation caused reduced contents of all lipids. The low temperature did not affect carbohydrate contents, while nitrogen starvation greatly enhanced carbohydrate content, and their combination did not enhance carbohydrate content, but led to reduced productivity. These results revealed the influence of low temperature, nitrogen starvation, and their combined treatment for the accumulation of phycobiliproteins, lipids, and carbohydrates of a thermophilic cyanobacterium strain, Thermosynechococcus E542. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Factors on Algae and Cyanobacteria)
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12 pages, 1014 KiB  
Article
Fucoid Macroalgae Have Distinct Physiological Mechanisms to Face Emersion and Submersion Periods in Their Southern Limit of Distribution
by Maria Martins, Cristiano Soares, Inês Figueiredo, Bruno Sousa, Ana Catarina Torres, Isabel Sousa-Pinto, Puri Veiga, Marcos Rubal and Fernanda Fidalgo
Plants 2021, 10(9), 1892; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10091892 - 14 Sep 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2137
Abstract
During high tide, macroalgae are submersed, facing adequate environmental conditions, however, at low tide, these species can be exposed to high UV radiation and desiccation, leading to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species, causing oxidative stress. Since intertidal organisms present differential sensitivity to [...] Read more.
During high tide, macroalgae are submersed, facing adequate environmental conditions, however, at low tide, these species can be exposed to high UV radiation and desiccation, leading to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species, causing oxidative stress. Since intertidal organisms present differential sensitivity to abiotic fluctuations, this study aimed to evaluate the physiological responses [photosynthetic pigments, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), lipid peroxidation (LP), and thiols and proline] of three macroalgae, from different intertidal levels, towards tidal regimes. Samples of Pelvetia canaliculata, Ascophyllum nodosum, and Fucus serratus were collected from beaches located on the southern limit of distribution in periods of potential stress (Summer and Spring), under low and high tide. The photosynthetic pigments of P. canaliculata and F. serratus were generally higher during low tide, and the oxidative damage evidenced by H2O2 and LP increased in the Summer, while A. nodosum showed greater oxidative damage in the Spring. While thiol content did not change, proline levels were species- and tidal-specific among sampling dates. P. canaliculata presented higher resilience to unfavorable conditions, while F. serratus was the most sensitive species. The physiological responses analyzed were species-specific, pointing to the high susceptibility of low intertidal organisms to expected extreme climatic events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Factors on Algae and Cyanobacteria)
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13 pages, 2941 KiB  
Article
Opposite Growth Responses of Alexandrium minutum and Alexandrium catenella to Photoperiods and Temperatures
by Ping Li, Qun Ma, Su Xu, Wenha Liu, Zengling Ma and Guangyan Ni
Plants 2021, 10(6), 1056; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061056 - 25 May 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3138
Abstract
Shift of phytoplankton niches from low to high latitudes has altered their experienced light exposure durations and temperatures. To explore this interactive effect, the growth, physiology, and cell compositions of smaller Alexandrium minutum and larger A. catenella, globally distributed toxic red tide [...] Read more.
Shift of phytoplankton niches from low to high latitudes has altered their experienced light exposure durations and temperatures. To explore this interactive effect, the growth, physiology, and cell compositions of smaller Alexandrium minutum and larger A. catenella, globally distributed toxic red tide dinoflagellates, were studied under a matrix of photoperiods (light:dark cycles of 8:16, 16:8, and 24:0) and temperatures (18 °C, 22 °C, 25 °C, and 28 °C). Under continuous growth light condition (L:D 24:0), the growth rate (µ) of small A. minutum increased from low to medium temperature, then decreased to high temperature, while the µ of large A. catenella continuously decreased with increasing temperatures. Shortened photoperiods reduced the µ of A. minutum, but enhanced that of A. catenella. As temperature increased, cellular Chl a content increased in both A. minutum and A. catenella, while the temperature-induced effect on RubisCO content was limited. Shortened photoperiods enhanced the Chl a but reduced RubisCO contents across temperatures. Moreover, shortened photoperiods enhanced photosynthetic capacities of both A. minutum and A. catenella, i.e., promoting the PSII photochemical quantum yield (FV/FM, ΦPSII), saturation irradiance (EK), and maximum relative electron transfer rate (rETRmax). Shortened photoperiods also enhanced dark respiration of A. minutum across temperatures, but reduced that of A. catenella, as well as the antioxidant activities of both species. Overall, A. minutum and A. catenella showed differential growth responses to photoperiods across temperatures, probably with cell size. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Factors on Algae and Cyanobacteria)
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13 pages, 2763 KiB  
Article
Effects of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Photosynthetic and Antioxidative Processes of Scenedesmus obliquus
by Zhou Li, Philippe Juneau, Yingli Lian, Wei Zhang, Shanquan Wang, Cheng Wang, Longfei Shu, Qingyun Yan, Zhili He and Kui Xu
Plants 2020, 9(12), 1748; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121748 - 10 Dec 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2647
Abstract
The effects of the photocatalytic toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticle (nano-TiO2) on phytoplankton are well understood. However, as UV light intensity decreases sharply with the depth of the water column, the effects of nano-TiO2 itself on deeper water phytoplankton, such [...] Read more.
The effects of the photocatalytic toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticle (nano-TiO2) on phytoplankton are well understood. However, as UV light intensity decreases sharply with the depth of the water column, the effects of nano-TiO2 itself on deeper water phytoplankton, such as green algae, need further research. In this research, we investigated the effects of three sizes of TiO2 (10, 50 and 200 nm) on the photosynthetic and antioxidative processes of Scenedesmus obliquus in the absence of UV light. We found that 50 nm and 10 nm TiO2 (10 mg/L) inhibited growth rates and the maximal photosystem II quantum yield compared to the control in Scenedesmus obliquus. The minimal and maximal fluorescence yields, and the contents of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, increased, indicating that photosynthetic energy/electrons transferred to oxygen and induced oxidative stress in nano-TiO2-treated samples. In addition, we found that aggregations of algae and 10 nm TiO2 were present, which could induce cell membrane disruption, and vacuoles were induced to cope with nano-TiO2 stress in Scenedesmus obliquus. These results enhance our understanding of the effects of nano-TiO2 on the photosynthetic and antioxidative processes of green algae, and provide basic information for evaluating the ecotoxicity of nano-TiO2 in freshwater ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Factors on Algae and Cyanobacteria)
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