title: Effects of copper and lead exposure on the ecophysiology of the brown seaweed Sargassum cymosum.
abstract: The effects of the heavy metals copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) on Sargassum cymosum were evaluated by determining uptake capacity, growth rates, photosynthetic efficiency, contents of photosynthetic pigments and phenolic compounds, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging capacity, and morphological and cellular changes. S. cymosum was cultivated with Cu and Pb separately and combined at concentrations of 10, 25, and 50 μM for 7 days in laboratory-controlled conditions. Seaweeds under Cu treatment showed the highest biosorption capacity, and growth rates were significantly reduced compared to the control. The photosynthesis/irradiance curves showed alterations in kinetic patterns in the metal-treated samples. Specifically, Cu treatment alone inhibited electron transport rate (ETR) response, while Pb alone induced it. However, samples treated with both Cu and Pb (Cu + Pb) showed inhibition in ETR. The total amount of pigments increased relative to control. Light microscopy showed an increase in phenolic compounds, with physodes migrating towards cortical cells. Scanning electronic microscopy revealed alterations in the typical rough surface of thallus, when compared with control, especially for Pb treatments. Based on these results, it could be concluded that Cu and Pb are stress factors for S. cymosum, promoting alterations in seaweed metabolism and stimulating protective mechanisms against oxidative stress. However, the high bioaccumulation capacity of both heavy metals indicates a possible application for S. cymosum as a biosorbent agent for contaminated wastewater when metals are in low concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Plant Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-900, CP 476, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giulia Burle
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Plant Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-900, CP 476, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marthiellen R L
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: de Felix
authors.affiliation: Plant Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-900, CP 476, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simioni
authors.affiliation: Plant Morphogenesis and Biochemistry Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-900, CP 476, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ramlov
authors.affiliation: Plant Morphogenesis and Biochemistry Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-900, CP 476, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eva Regina
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Scientific Initiation-PIBIC-CNPq, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-900, CP 476, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Débora T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Plant Morphogenesis and Biochemistry Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-900, CP 476, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maraschin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioscience, University of São Paulo, 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fungyi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: Phycology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88010-970, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Antunes
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Horta
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-970, CP 0476, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristina Moreira
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lalau
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-970, CP 0476, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristina H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: da Costa
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-970, CP 0476, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: William Gerson
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Matias
authors.affiliation: Plant Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-900, CP 476, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Zenilda L
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Bouzon
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Cell Biology and Development, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-900, CP 476, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil. edcash@ccb.ufsc.br.
authors.forename: Éder C
authors.initials: ÉC
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D065567:Absorption, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D000077194:Chlorophyll A; D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity*; D004579:Electron Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D005453:Fluorescence; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D012624:Seaweed / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols; D014867:Water; D002734:Chlorophyll; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D000077194:Chlorophyll A
keywords: Biosorption; Cellular structure; Ecophysiology; Metal uptake; Photosynthetic efficiency; Sargassum cymosum