On the resistance of the green alga Ulva lactuca L. and associated microorganisms to the effects of diesel fuel under experimental conditions

It has been experimentally observed that Ulva lactuca from the Barents Sea, is capable of surviving in a laboratory environment when the concentration of water soluble fractions of diesel fuel in water is up to 1 mg/l. A concentration of more than 4.9 mg/l was critical for algae. During these treatments, decreases in photosynthetic rate (2–16 times relative to the control) and the amount of photosynthetic pigments (more than 2 times of the control), an increase the hydrogen peroxide content and the activity of superoxide dismutase were observed in macrophytes. The number, biomass and size characteristics of heterotrophic bacteria associated with algae changed significantly. Thus, the high content of petroleum products in the environment limits the spread of U. lactuca algae, however, with minor contamination, they can actively participate in bioremediation processes.