Influence of ultraviolet radiation on spore liberation in marine macroalgae Ulva fasciata (Ulvales, Chlorophyceae) and Gracilaria corticata (Gracilariales, Rhodophyceae)

P>The effect of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) and UV-A radiation on spore liberation in the intertidal marine macroalgae Ulva fasciata Delile (Chlorophyceae) and Gracilaria corticata J.Agardh (Rhodophyceae) was investigated. The two algae were exposed to UV-A and UV-B radiation separately for 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 min and percentage inhibition of spore liberation was determined in controlled laboratory conditions. The spore liberation period in UV treated algae was extended for 4 days in U. fasciata and 9 days in G. corticata. UV-B radiation inhibited spore liberation as much as 76.6% in U. fasciata and 55.5% in G. corticata at 60 min exposure. A significant positive correlation was observed between percentage inhibition of spore liberation and length of UV-B exposure in both U. fasciata and in G. corticata. Similarly, UV-A radiation also inhibited spore liberation as much as 75% in the former and 50% in the latter. There was a significant correlation between inhibition of spore liberation and length of UV-A exposure in U. fasciata and in G. corticata. Analysis of variance results showed inhibition of spore liberation at 60 min of UV exposure differed significantly with that of other exposure lengths. The present findings reveal that UV-A radiation also had an impact on spore liberation but to a lesser extent than UV-B radiation. Thallus thickness and plant location on the shore determines their exposure to UV radiation. High UV impact was seen for U. fasciata growing in the upper parts of the intertidal region with a thin sheet like thallus and high surface area resulting in higher inhibition of spore liberation than in G. corticata.