Effects of short-term and long-term aluminium stress on photosynthesis, respiration, and reproductive capacity in a unicellular green flagellate (Euglena gracilis)

Effects of short-term (1 h exposure) and long-term (7 d exposure) aluminium stress on photosynthesis and reproductive capacity have been studied in Euglena gracilis strain Z. Following concentrations of Al-tot (added as AlCl3) were tested: 0.5 mg L-1, 1.0 mg L-1, 1.5 mg L-1, 2.5 mg L-1, 5.0 mg L-1, 7.5 mg L-1, 10.0 mg L-1, and 15.0 mg L-1 Al, respectively. Growth rates at different aluminium concentrations did not show significant differences, except at 15.0 mg L-1Al. Initial respiration was higher in long-term than in the short-term experiments. It is supposed that an energy-dependent mechanism of excretion of aluminium ions has been active in the stressed cells. Consequently, the cells of E. gracilis after long-term exposure to aluminium are believed to be more acclimatised to the aluminium stress. Photosynthetic efficiency (PE) has been negatively affected by aluminium in all experiments performed. Differences between control algae and those treated with aluminium were significant in all cases. PE in long-term experiments was in general significantly higher at all concentrations of aluminium studied, compared to the short-term experiments. The aluminium concentrations tested led only to a general decrease in PE while the level of decrease was not especially concentration-dependent. In general, aluminium tolerance of E. gracilis can be estimated as low, especially by short-term exposure. However, good acclimatisation capacity of this green flagellate to aluminium doses by long-term exposure can be supposed.