The influence of cadmium chloride and hyperthermia on the fatty acid composition of high aquatic plants from Angara River

Abstract

Water is the basic component of all living organisms and the biosphere. The intensification of using water in the industrial, agricultural and domestic consumption leads to an increased anthropogenic impact on water ecosystems. High aquatic plants are the most important component of aquatic ecosystems. They take part in the process of exchange of nutrients in self-purification of water, can accumulate and transform organic and inorganic pollutants. Aquatic plants are considered and used as sites for monitoring ecological status of water bodies. In this study we investigated the fatty acid composition of higher aquatic plants from Angara River under the influence of hyperthermia 30  °C, and cadmium chlo­ride 100 mg/l. Macrophytes Elodea canadensis Michx. and Myrio­phyllum spicatum L. were gathered at a high flow of Angara River. After cultivation in the laboratory conditions the plants from experimental group were replaced in a solution of cadmium chloride (100 mg/l) during 24 and 48 h. In another experiment the plants were replaced in distilled water, 30 °C heated, and incubated during 24 or 48 h. Lipids were extracted with mixture of chloroform: methanol (2:1). Analysis of fatty acids composition was carried out in form of methyl ethers by the method of chromato-mass-spectrometry. The changes of the fatty acid composition in response to hyperthermia and cadmium chloride were found. The differences in the fatty acid composition changes of the studied species were shown after 24 and 48 h of exposure. Differences in the metabolism of fatty acids should be considered for the development of methods of biomonitoring and bioassay.