Home General Physiology and Biophysics 2017 General Physiology and Biophysics Vol.36, No.3, p.235–245, 2017

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Founded: 1982
ISSN  1338-4325 (online)

Published in English

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General Physiology and Biophysics Vol.36, No.3, p.235–245, 2017

Title: Influence of static magnetic fields in phototaxis and osmotic stress in Gymnodinium catenatum (Dinophyceae)
Author: Paulo Vale

Abstract: Phototaxis response of the toxic microalgae Gymnodinium catenatum was studied in vitro. The percentage of cells remaining at mid-depth 20 min after stirring increased with solar radio, X-ray and solar flares output. It also increased with geomagnetic activity and temperature, and was dependent on culture time. Increase in the local static magnetic field with a permanent magnet did not influence the positive phototaxis response. However, survival and growth to a provoked hypo-osmotic shock in an altered static magnetic field was dependent on culture time and geomagnetic activity at a threshold below 22 nT. The results from phototaxis and hypo-osmotic shock experiments were in line with the previous hypothesis for the existence of two separate deleterious mechanisms conditioning the natural blooms of G. catenatum: one that is dependent on solar radiation and the other that is related to geomagnetic activity. Variations in electromagnetic fields caused by tectonic activity were also capable of influencing G. catenatum phototaxis and growth response in vitro.

Keywords: Gymnodinium catenatum — Phototaxis — Osmotic stress — Geomagnetic activity — Solar cycle — Static magnetic fields — Seismic activity
Published online: 01-Jun-2017
Year: 2017, Volume: 36, Issue: 3 Page From: 235, Page To: 245
doi:10.4149/gpb_2016052


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