Abstract
Thermaikos Gulf receives domestic, agriculture and industrial wastes from the water basin of large rivers 9Gallikos, Ajios) and several streams and the municipality of Thessaloniki.To monitor and assessment of heavy metal pollution numerous researches have used marine macrophytes. When comparing marine primary producers, macrophytes are advantageous against phytoplankton as bioindicators as the y have longer life cycle hence they reflect longer periods of probable pollution. On the level of physiology as bioindicator for the assessment of heavy metal effect on macrophytes induction of non-protein thiols is used. In plants these thiols are known as phytochelatins due to their ability to form chelate with metals. Glutathione is the most common phytochelatin.Glutathione acts as protection factor in plants and animals. It is used by GSH S-transferase in the inactivation of many chemicals and it is the primary molecule of phytochelatins. In plants phytochelatins are responsible for regulati ...
Thermaikos Gulf receives domestic, agriculture and industrial wastes from the water basin of large rivers 9Gallikos, Ajios) and several streams and the municipality of Thessaloniki.To monitor and assessment of heavy metal pollution numerous researches have used marine macrophytes. When comparing marine primary producers, macrophytes are advantageous against phytoplankton as bioindicators as the y have longer life cycle hence they reflect longer periods of probable pollution. On the level of physiology as bioindicator for the assessment of heavy metal effect on macrophytes induction of non-protein thiols is used. In plants these thiols are known as phytochelatins due to their ability to form chelate with metals. Glutathione is the most common phytochelatin.Glutathione acts as protection factor in plants and animals. It is used by GSH S-transferase in the inactivation of many chemicals and it is the primary molecule of phytochelatins. In plants phytochelatins are responsible for regulating intracellular heavy metals concentration.The main part of the present dissertation was done in the Laboratory of Botany in the School of Biology, Aristotle University. It was funded by the research program EUMAC – Eutrohication and Macrolagae, FP3 EU. The primary object of the program was comparative studies of mechanisms and potential of marine eutrophication in benthic macrophytes in various coasts of EU. Part of the present dissertation was performed in Bergen University funded by ERASMUS.The aims of the dissertation was: 1) measurement of cystein and glutathione concentration in abundant marine macrophytes, the relationship between heavy metals in their thalli and metal-binding peptides concentration. 2) Investigation of the relationship between growth of macrophytes and environmental factors (nutrients etc). 3) Assessment of pressure over macrophytes exerted by heavy metals by measuring their concentration in the thalli of abundant species. 4) Contribution to the assessment of environmental conditions of Thermaikos Gulf in relation to anthopogenic eutrophication taking into account the main sources of nutrients.In the abundant macrophytes metal-binding peptides (glutathione and cystein) were measured with a modified method. The relationship between peptides concentration and heavy metal concentration in the thalli was described.Cd, Zn, Cu accumulation causes increase of glutathione production. The method allows measurement of low levels of the peptides.In the phanerogam Cymodocea nodosa metal-binding peptides were measured for the first time. The relationship between peptide concentration and metal concentration was demonstrated in leaves, roots and shoots.Cystein and glutathione concentration varied according to Cd concentration in the leaves of the phanerogam.During the summer period high concentration of nutrients and Cd, Zn, Cu were observed.There was no obvious relationship between Cd concentration and cystein and glutathione concentration in the roots and shoots of Cymodocea nodosa.The variation of peptides composition in all cases followed temperature and pH variation.Factorial analysis showed that marine macrophytes assemblages are degraded in the Theramikos Gulf.In time and space variation of several macrophytes is connected to increased nitrogen and phosphorus concentration.Metal concentration in macrophytes of Thermaikos Gulf is similar to other areas where analogous conditions prevail.
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