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Salinity exacerbates oil contamination effects in mangroves

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Abstract

The effects of salinity (10 and 50% seawater) and oil in combination on three mangroves, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, and Rhizophora mucronata, were investigated. In all species, plant height, number of leaves, and CO2 exchange were generally higher in 10% than in 50% seawater. Salinity and oil decreased plant height, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, and CO2 exchange, with reductions being greater at the higher salinity. In a second experiment, the effects of salinity (0, 10, and 50% seawater) and oil on concentrations of ions, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), leaf ultrastructure, and salt secretion in A. marina were investigated. Salinity and oil in combination increased concentrations of Na+ but decreased those of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. PAHs caused damage to cell membranes, disrupted ion concentrations, and reduced salt secretion. This study demonstrated that increase in salinity reduces growth of mangroves and that salinity and oiling in combination exacerbate growth reduction. In A. marina, oil was absorbed and translocated to the leaves where it disrupted membranes, ion accumulation, and salt secretion.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to A Rajh for technical assistance.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Funding

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (grant number 93560 to G Naidoo).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

    Gonasageran Naidoo & Krishnaveni Naidoo

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  1. Gonasageran Naidoo
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  2. Krishnaveni Naidoo
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Contributions

GN and KN contributed equally to the experimental design, data collection, interpretation, and discussion of the results and writing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Gonasageran Naidoo.

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Responsible Editor: V. V.S.S. Sarma

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Naidoo, G., Naidoo, K. Salinity exacerbates oil contamination effects in mangroves. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 68398–68406 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-15450-9

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