INFLUENCE OF CRUDE OIL ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ZYGOTES AND SEEDLINGS OF THE GREEN ALGA <i>ULVA LACTUCA</i> (ULVACEAE) OF THE BARENTS SEA

Abstract

The ability of the zygotes and seedlings of the green alga Ulva lactuca to develop under the influence of crude oil in various concentrations was determined. The oil at a content of 1 mg/l in water does not have a damaging effect on the germination of zygotes and their further development into multicellular seedlings. Juvenile seedlings have a wider tolerance range than zygotes and can develop under oil content in marine water up to 3 mg/l. The real threat of the death of zygotes, which rovide replenishment of ulva algae thickets in the littoral with young thalli, is observed under short-term oil pollution of more than 25 mg/l, or with constant oil pollution of more than 5 mg/l. The oil content in water of 25 mg/l and above stops the development of most seedlings by irreversibe destroying the structure of their cells.