Effects of UVB radiation exposure from the molecular to the organism level in macrophytes from shallow Mediterranean habitats

摘要: Abstract The available data on the effects of UVB radiation (UVBR) are scarce for submerged macrophytes, particularly charophytes. We studied UVBR Chara baltica, hispida, vulgaris, Nitella hyalina and Myriophyllum spicatum, collected from shallow Mediterranean waterbodies. In a short-term laboratory experiment, we subjected these species to three different treatments corresponding daily biologically effective integrated doses 0, 1 6 kJ m−2. analysed response variables were DNA damage, UV-absorbing compounds (both methanol-soluble–SUVACs- and, first time in charophytes, methanol-insoluble cell wall-bound fraction–WUVACs-), stoichiometric composition, photosynthetic pigments, metabolic growth rates morphological architecture. induced harmful all species, but M. spicatum appeared be most sensitive. observed damage only UVB-dose dependent C. vulgaris. charophytes produced higher WUVACs levels angiosperm SUVACs levels. Higher chlorophyll carotenoid concentrations detected presence UVBR, their ratio was not modified by applied treatments. Chl a/b decreased under two charophyte whereas it increased angiosperm, which also exhibited greater response. Relative negatively influenced although degree this influence depending dose among species. patterns, those exhibiting apical growth. more species-specific differences than commonalities responses across investigated