Stressed Response of Submerged <i>Elodea nattalii</i> under Eutrophication Growth Conditions

Abstract

Eutrophication in water bodies affects the growth of aquatic plants. In this study, we conducted static experiments to better understand the metabolic responses of Elodea nattalii under eutrophication conditions. The nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) levels in tissue, malondiadehyde (MDA), and activities of three antioxidases (peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)) of Elodea nattalii cultured at different nutrient levels (oligotropher, mesotropher, eutropher, and hypertrophics) were investigated. The results showed that with nutrient concentration increase, N and P contents of Elodea nattalii increased. The MDA content improved with nutrient increase. the POD activity initially increased and later decreased. CAT and SOD activities decreased during the experimental time period. These finding suggested that changes in stem the increase of antioxidant enzyme activity can be served as the indicators of the response of Elodea nattalii to eutrophication conditions.