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Chl-a fluorescence parameters as biomarkers of metal toxicity in fluvial biofilms: an experimental study

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Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate the sensitivity of different chlorophyll-a (chl-a) fluorescence parameters measured in freshwater biofilms as metal pollution biomarkers of short- and long-term metal exposures at environmentally realistic concentrations. A microcosm experiment was performed using indoor channels. Mature biofilms were exposed from hours to weeks to three different treatments: No-Metal, Zn (400 μg l−1); and Zn plus Cd (400 μg l−1 and 20 μg l−1, respectively). Metal concentration was based on a real case study: the Riou-Mort River (France). Biofilms exposed to Zn bioaccumulated similar Zn contents per dry weight to those exposed to the mixture (Zn plus Cd) causing a similar inhibition of the effective quantum yield \((\Upphi_{\text{M}}^{\prime})\) during the first hours of exposure. A reduction of the algal biomass, a shift in the community composition (a high reduction of diatoms), a reduction of the maximal quantum yield (ΦM) and a strong reduction of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were observed from day 14 until the end of the experiment (35 days). The results indicate that the effects of the metal mixture present in the Riou-Mort on biofilms could be attributed to Zn toxicity. The use of a set of chl-a fluorescence measurements, including photochemical and NPQ parameters, are recommended as a reliable biomarker tool box to evaluate both short- and long-term effects of metals on biofilms containing oxygenic photoautotrophs, suggesting its use in field applications.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry project FLUVIALFITOMARC (CGL2006-12785), FLUVIALMULTISTRESS (CTM2009-14111-C02-01), and the EC project KEYBIOEFFECTS (MRTN-CT-2006-035695). The authors express their thanks to the ‘Serveis Tècnics de Recerca’ of the University of Girona for offering their facilities and technical assistance during the metal analysis.

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  1. Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071, Girona, Spain

    Natàlia Corcoll, Berta Bonet & Helena Guasch

  2. Faculty of Sciences, University of A Coruña, Campus da Zapateira, 15071, A Coruña, Spain

    Manel Leira

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  1. Natàlia Corcoll
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Corcoll, N., Bonet, B., Leira, M. et al. Chl-a fluorescence parameters as biomarkers of metal toxicity in fluvial biofilms: an experimental study. Hydrobiologia 673, 119–136 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0763-8

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