Macroalga Ulva intestinalis (L.) Occurrence in freshwater ecosystems of Poland: a new locality in Wielkopolska

A new locality of Ulva intestinalis was found near Krąplewo in the River Samica Stęszewska located in the Wielkopolski National Park region (Wielkopolska). On the basis of Carlson's index ranges, waters of the Samica Stęszewska river were qualified as eutrophic. In the river single thalluses of U. intestinalis which appeared by its banks were observed. The presence of this Ulva species thalluses in the Samica Stęszewska river confirmed the results of trophy examinations of this river. U. intestinalis is a species attached to eutrophic waters – both salty, slightly salty and inland. This next found site of this Ulva species is the 35th site on the inland area of Poland and the third in the Wielkopolska region. Altogether 59 localities of Ulva genera representatives, including U. intestinalis and 4 other species (U. compressa, U. flexuosa, U. paradoxa, U. prolifera) and one subspecies (U. flexuosa subsp. pilifera), were noted in limnic waters of Poland. The new locality of U. intestinalis in freshwaters of Wielkopolska contributes new and essential information about the distribution of this originally marine species on the inland area of Poland. The authors indicated the lack of studies in the scope of the mass thalluses influence from the Ulva genera on inland ecosystems and on water organisms inhabiting them

Differences in the ultrastructure of two selected taxa of phytoplankton in a thermally stratified Lake Holzmaar (Germany)

This paper presents the results of ultrastructural studies and ecological aspects of some phytoplankton species belongingto the groups of cyanobacteria (Planktothrix rubescens, Synechocystis aquatilis) and green algae (Desmodesmus grahneisii). Specimens were collected during summertime from the mesotrophic and stratified Lake Holzmaar (Western Germany) as planktonic from the pelagic zone. The highest cyanobacterium P. rubescens concentration was detected in the metalimnion where the alkaline pH, low phosphorus and high nitrogen contents were recorded. It was characterized by straight filaments up to 1000 um long and 5.4-8 um wide and numerous aerotopes in cells. The accompanying algae were identified by ultrastructuralanalysis and photographic documentation was provided. In the case of D. grahneisii, chloroplast was concentrated in the parietal part of cell with one large, oval pyrenoid and, in addition, the granular and spiny cell wall clearly showed important taxonomical criteria for Desmodesmus genera. This is in contrast with cyanobacterium S. aquatilis where the presence of a homogeneous content with visible chromatoplasma was mostly distributed through the cell. This algal association was stable in the epilimnion characterized by the presence of high temperature, pH values, nitrate nitrogen and oxygen concentrations

Odmiany polimorficzne węglanu wapnia na powierzchni plech Ulva (Chlorophyta) notowanych w wodach słodkich

Process of calcification, which is the formation of calcite — a pure calcium carbonate mineral, commonly takes place among both marine and freshwater algae. The available literature referring to inland waters provides a lot of information about calcareous macroalgae, mainly on extensively encrusted species of Chara, called stoneworts. In addition to this group, where CaCO3 may provide 60% of dry weight, also freshwater green alga Ulva is prone to CaCO3 precipitation (up to 50% of dry weight).Freshwater Ulva exhibit an extracellular calcification mode and the deposits form bands on the surface of a thallus. Owing to a large number of calcite crystals the surface is quite coarse. Microscopic observations demonstrated differences in the size and shape of crystals and divided them into two morphology types of CaCO3 microcrystals: calcite rhombohedrons and aragonite needles. The percentage of CaCO3 in the thalli was about 50% of dry weight.631117124Kosmo

Morphological and ultrastructural studies on Ulva flexuosa subsp. pilifera (Chlorophyta) from Poland

Ulva flexuosa subsp. pilifera (Kütz.) M. J. Wynne 2005 (= Enteromorpha pilifera Kützing 1845) was previously found in Argentina, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden, recently also in Poland. The genus Ulva was first time described as Enteromorpha. Interestingly, Enteromorpha is used nowadays as a synonym for Ulva, a development which is based on molecular data. The morphologies of both young and mature specimens were studied, and most life cycle stages could be observed. Further, the formation of calcium carbonate crystals on the surface of Ulva thalli seems to influence the arrangement of the cells. A detailed ultrastructural (TEM) analysis of cell walls is presented. The TEM reveals in great details highly complex, irregular structures with stratification lines.The project was supported by funding from the Polish Ministry of Science, grant No. NN 304 013 437 and partially funded by the project GDWB-07/ 2011.822157163Acta Societatis Botanicorum Polonia

Accumulation of heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn) in the freshwater alga Ulva type, sediments and water of the Wielkopolska region, Poland.

The concentration of five trace elements: cobalt (Co), chrome (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) was determined in the Ulva thalli, in the water and sediment collection from several inland sites (lakes, stream and river) from the Wielkopolska region during summer 2010. The multielemental analysis of the heavy metal concentration was carried out with the use of ICP-OES method. The aim of this study was to determine the role of tubular forms as biomonitoring species. The relative abundance of metals in sediment decreased in the order: Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Co and in the water: Cr > Mn > Zn > Cu > Co. In Ulva thalli the distribution order from higher to lower was Mn > Zn > Cr > Cu > Co. The results indicate that the concentration changes of heavy metals in thallus, water and sediment have some differences, but concentration distribution tends to be similar, because among the analysed heavy metals Mn has the highest concentrations while Co the lowest abundance in the thalli and sediment of all the sites. Possibility to use freshwater species from Ulva genus as bioindicators of water pollution by manganese requires further study.This project was supported by funds from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, grant No. N N 304 013 437. Co-author Andrzej Rybak is a grant holder within the framework of Measure 8.2 of the Operational Program Human Capital (OP HC) co-financed by the European Social Fund of the European Union.746611

Biomasa alg słodkowodnych surowcem dla przemysłu i rolnictwa

Wykorzystując doniesienia literaturowe oraz wyniki badań własnych, przedstawiono występowanie, budowę chemiczną i morfologiczną alg słodkowodnych występujących także na terenie Polski oraz zastosowanie ich biomasy jako cennego surowca dla różnych gałęzi przemysłu i rolnictwa. Z powodu braku w Polsce systemu wykorzystywania biomasy alg do celów przemysłowych i rolniczych, zagospodarowanie tych surowców powstających na dużą skalę w zbiornikach wodnych stanowi duże wyzwanie i jest istotnym elementem gospodarki zrównoważonego rozwoju.Praca sfinansowana ze środków grantu PBS 1/A1/2/2012: „Innowacyjna technologia ekstraktów glonowych – komponentów nawozów, pasz i kosmetyków” przyznanego przez Narodowe Centrum Badań i Rozwoju.92710011004Przemysł Chemiczn

Ulva flexuosa subsp. pilifera (Chlorophyta, Ulvophyceae) from the Wielkopolska region (West Poland): a new observation of the ultrastructure of vegetative cells

Ulva flexuosa subsp. pilifera previously known from northern Poland, from the channel near Szczecin and ponds near Łódź, has recently been found in the Malta Reservoir in the Wielkopolska (West Poland) region. Specimens collected in the Wielkopolska region were examined in detail, also under a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The morphometric analysis of Ulva thalli (both young and mature specimens) was performed in order to study the differences in the ultrastructure of vegetative cells. Rectangular cells in young thalli measured from 32.21 - 55.81 μm to 20.24 – 35.12 μm, and they formed clear longitudinal rows, while cells in the mature specimens ranged from 25.09 – 47.66 μm to 18.90 – 31.56 μm. This study indicates that vegetative cells of the mature thalli show tendency towards distortions of both the longitudinal and transverse cells arrangement. This distortion is determined by the development of possible carbonate calcium crystals on the thalli surface. The ultrastructural analysis (TEM) confirmed that the structure and placement of thylakoids is genus/species specific.This work was supported by the grant NN 304 013 437.422209215Oceanological and Hydrobilogical Studie

Slaughter weight rather than sex affects carcass cuts and tissue composition of Bisaro pigs

Carcass cuts and tissue composition were assessed in Bisaro pigs (n=64) from two sexes (31 gilts and 33 entire males) reared until three target slaughter body-weights (BW) means: 17 kg, 32 kg, and 79 kg. Dressing percentage and backfat thickness increased whereas carcass shrinkage decreased with increasing BW. Slaughter weight affected most of the carcass cut proportions, except shoulder and thoracic regions. Bone proportion decreased linearly with increasing slaughter BW, while intermuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissue depots increased concomitantly. Slaughter weight increased the subcutaneous adipose tissue proportion but this impaired intramuscular and intermuscular adipose tissues in the loin primal. The sex of the pigs minimally affected the carcass composition, as only the belly weight and the subcutaneous adipose tissue proportions were greater in gilts than in entire males. Light pigs regardless of sex are recommended to balance the trade-offs between carcass cuts and their non-edible compositional outcomes.Work included in the Portuguese PRODER research Project BISOPORC – Pork extensive production of Bísara breed, in two alternative systems: fattening on concentrate vs chesnut, Project PRODER SI I&DT Medida 4.1 “Cooperação para a Inovação”. The authors are grateful to Laboratory of Carcass and Meat Quality of Agriculture School of Polytechnic Institute of Bragança ‘Cantinho do Alfredo’. The authors are members of the MARCARNE network, funded by CYTED (ref. 116RT0503).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Temperature Effects Explain Continental Scale Distribution of Cyanobacterial Toxins

Insight into how environmental change determines the production and distribution of cyanobacterial toxins is necessary for risk assessment. Management guidelines currently focus on hepatotoxins (microcystins). Increasing attention is given to other classes, such as neurotoxins (e.g., anatoxin-a) and cytotoxins (e.g., cylindrospermopsin) due to their potency. Most studies examine the relationship between individual toxin variants and environmental factors, such as nutrients, temperature and light. In summer 2015, we collected samples across Europe to investigate the effect of nutrient and temperature gradients on the variability of toxin production at a continental scale. Direct and indirect effects of temperature were the main drivers of the spatial distribution in the toxins produced by the cyanobacterial community, the toxin concentrations and toxin quota. Generalized linear models showed that a Toxin Diversity Index (TDI) increased with latitude, while it decreased with water stability. Increases in TDI were explained through a significant increase in toxin variants such as MC-YR, anatoxin and cylindrospermopsin, accompanied by a decreasing presence of MC-LR. While global warming continues, the direct and indirect effects of increased lake temperatures will drive changes in the distribution of cyanobacterial toxins in Europe, potentially promoting selection of a few highly toxic species or strains.Peer reviewe

Enteromorpha (Chlorophyta) populations in the Nielba River and Lake Laskownickie

Enteromorpha intestinalis (4 forms) and E. compressa (2 forms) were identified in Lake Laskownickie, while only E. intestinalis (2 forms) was identified in the Nielba River. The massive appearance of both species of Enteromorpha in the lake was occurred mostly during early summer (June) with the position of the population in the water column ranged from benthic to floating. In the Nielba River E. intestinalis developed in May or June with maximum coverage in July or in the beginning of August. In both cases Enteromorpha preferred sunny places and well oxygenated waters. Additionally, it was found that in both habitats thallus was significantly higher at the end of the summer than at the beginning