The changes in the morpho-functional state of the green alga Ulva intestinalis L. in the Barents Sea under the influence of diesel fuel

Abstract

Abstract The Changes in the morpho-functional state of the green algae Ulva intestinalis L. Intestine of the Barents Sea under the influence of diesel fuel (DF) in doses from 1 to 150 mg/l were studied. It has been shown that the reaction of the algae to the presence of diesel fuel (DF) depends on the toxicant and the duration of exposure. The addition of an petroleum product to the medium in a volume of 1 - 5 mg/l (20-100 MAC) does not lead to the death of algae, however, it causes a decrease in photosynthetic activity and the content of photosynthetic pigments. DF concentrations in the medium from 50 mg/L (1000 MAC) to 150 mg/L (3000 MAC) cause active irreversible changes in algae: disruption of cell structure, suppression of photosynthetic activity, decrease in the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, changes in catalase activity, as well as the number of cultivated epiphytic bacteria. When the content of DF in water is 150 mg/l, various algae die after 3 days of the experiment.