title: Light History Influences the Response of Fluvial Biofilms to Zn Exposure.
abstract: Fluvial biofilms are subject to multistress situations in natural ecosystems, such as the co-occurrence of light intensity changes and metal toxicity. However, studies simultaneously addressing both factors are rare. This study evaluated in microcosm conditions the relationship between short-term light intensity changes and Zn toxicity on fluvial biofilms with long-term photoacclimation to different light conditions. Biofilms that had long-term photoacclimation to 25 μmol photons · m(-2)  · s(-1) (low light [LL] biofilms), 100 μmol photons · m(-2)  · s(-1) (medium light [ML] biofilms), and 500 μmol photons · m(-2)  · s(-1) (high light [HL] biofilms) were characterized by different structural (Chlorophyll-a [Chl-a], total biomass-AFDW, EPS, algal groups, and diatom taxonomy) and physiological attributes (ETR-I curves and photosynthetic pigments). HL biofilms showed higher light saturation intensity and a higher production of xanthophylls than LL biofilms. In contrast, LL biofilms had many structural differences; a higher proportion of diatoms and lower AFDW and EPS contents than ML and HL biofilms. A clear effect of light intensity changes on Zn toxicity was also demonstrated. Zn toxicity was enhanced when a sudden increase in light intensity also occurred, mainly with LL biofilms, causing higher inhibition of both the Φ'PSII and the ΦPSII . A decoupling of NPQ from de-epoxidation reaction (DR) processes was also observed, indicating substantial damage to photoprotective mechanisms functioning in biofilms (i.e., xanthophyll cycle of diatoms) due to Zn toxicity. This study highlights the need to take into account environmental stress (e.g., light intensity changes) to better assess the environmental risks of chemicals (e.g., metals).
authors.affiliation: Institute of Aquatic Ecology and Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, 17071, Spain.
authors.forename: Natàlia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Corcoll
authors.affiliation: Institute of Aquatic Ecology and Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, 17071, Spain.
authors.forename: Berta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bonet
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, University of A Coruña, Campus da Zapateira, A Coruña, 15071, Spain.
authors.forename: Manel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leira
authors.affiliation: Irstea, UR MALY, 3 bis quai Chauveau - CP 220, F-69336, Lyon, France.|INRA, UMR CARRTEL, 75 Avenue de Corzent, Thonon, 74203, France.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Montuelle
authors.affiliation: Irstea, UR MALY, 3 bis quai Chauveau - CP 220, F-69336, Lyon, France.|Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Alte Fischerhütte 2, Neuglobsow, Germany.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tlili
authors.affiliation: Institute of Aquatic Ecology and Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, 17071, Spain.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guasch
keywords: Zn toxicity; chl-a fluorescence parameters; fluvial biofilms; light; photo-acclimation