Arsenic toxicity in the water weed Wolffia arrhiza measured using Pulse Amplitude Modulation Fluorometry (PAM) measurements of photosynthesis.
Accumulation of arsenic in plants is a serious South-east Asian environmental problem. Photosynthesis in the small aquatic angiosperm Wolffia arrhiza is very sensitive to arsenic toxicity, particularly in water below pH 7 where arsenite (As (OH)3) (AsIII) is the dominant form; at pH >7 AsO4(2-) (As(V) predominates). A blue-diode PAM (Pulse Amplitude Fluorometer) machine was used to monitor photosynthesis in Wolffia. Maximum gross photosynthesis (Pgmax) and not maximum yield (Ymax) is the most reliable indicator of arsenic toxicity. The toxicity of arsenite As(III) and arsenate (H2AsO4(2-)) As(V) vary with pH. As(V) was less toxic than As(III) at both pH 5 and pH 8 but both forms of arsenic were toxic (>90% inhibition) at below 0.1molm(-3) when incubated in arsenic for 24h. Arsenite toxicity was apparent after 1h based on Pgmax and gradually increased over 7h but there was no apparent effect on Ymax or photosynthetic efficiency (α0).
Tropical Plant Biology, Technology and Environment, Prince of Songkla University Phuket, Vichitsongkram Rd, Kathu, Phuket 83120, Thailand. Electronic address: raymond.r@phuket.psu.ac.th.
Raymond J
RJ
Ritchie
Chemi Nano Biotech, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. Electronic address: nutsara.mek@student.mahidol.ac.th.
Nutsara
N
Mekjinda
D029064:Araceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D001149:Arsenates / Q000633:toxicity*; D001151:Arsenic / Q000633:toxicity*; D018053:Arsenites / Q000633:toxicity*; D005470:Fluorometry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D001149:Arsenates; D018053:Arsenites; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C015001:arsenite; D001151:Arsenic; C025657:arsenic acid
Arsenic toxicity; Gross photosynthesis; PAM fluorometry; Phosphate; Rapid light curves; Wolffia arrhiza