Jessica Lombardo, Silvia Tejada, Montserrat Compa, Vicent Forteza, Lorenzo Gil, Samuel Pinya, Antoni Sureda
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Algae represent more than 41% of marine biological invasions worldwide. If non-native algae become an invasive and dominant species, they will inevitably affect the characteristics of the ecosystem. The study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of the recently arrived Batophora occidentalis growing over three native algae: Acetabularia acetabulum, Dasycladus vermicularis and Caulerpa prolifera in S’Estany des Peix (Formentera Island, Spain), a shallow saltwater lagoon environment, by means of antioxidant biomarkers. The environmental conditions of the lagoon favoured the extensive progression of B. occidentalis, which since 2020 has progressively been spreading to the entire perimeter of the lagoon where it has found a substrate to attach itself to, even epiphytize native algae. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase), the phase II detoxification enzyme glutathione S-transferase and levels of malondialdehyde (as an indicator of lipid peroxidation) were evaluated. The results showed significant increases in all monitored biomarkers in the three native algae affected by B. occidentalis, with notable elevations in antioxidant enzyme activities and detoxification response. However, MDA levels increased only in A. acetabulum and D. vermicularis, but not in C. prolifera, suggesting that the latter species exhibits greater resistance to lipid peroxidation. These findings indicate that native algae experience biochemical stress, likely induced by competition or environmental changes caused by B. occidentalis. In conclusion, the presence of the invasive alga B. occidentalis can induce a stressful situation in epiphytized native algae, as evidenced by an increase in oxidative stress biomarkers. Further studies are needed to assess its potential effects on the growth and survival of the affected algae, as well as its ecological impact on the ecosystem.
期刊介绍:
Frontiers in Marine Science publishes rigorously peer-reviewed research that advances our understanding of all aspects of the environment, biology, ecosystem functioning and human interactions with the oceans. Field Chief Editor Carlos M. Duarte at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Thuwal is supported by an outstanding Editorial Board of international researchers. This multidisciplinary open-access journal is at the forefront of disseminating and communicating scientific knowledge and impactful discoveries to researchers, academics, policy makers and the public worldwide.
With the human population predicted to reach 9 billion people by 2050, it is clear that traditional land resources will not suffice to meet the demand for food or energy, required to support high-quality livelihoods. As a result, the oceans are emerging as a source of untapped assets, with new innovative industries, such as aquaculture, marine biotechnology, marine energy and deep-sea mining growing rapidly under a new era characterized by rapid growth of a blue, ocean-based economy. The sustainability of the blue economy is closely dependent on our knowledge about how to mitigate the impacts of the multiple pressures on the ocean ecosystem associated with the increased scale and diversification of industry operations in the ocean and global human pressures on the environment. Therefore, Frontiers in Marine Science particularly welcomes the communication of research outcomes addressing ocean-based solutions for the emerging challenges, including improved forecasting and observational capacities, understanding biodiversity and ecosystem problems, locally and globally, effective management strategies to maintain ocean health, and an improved capacity to sustainably derive resources from the oceans.