Biophysical Characterization of Heavy Metal Stress in Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid

In the present investigation the effect of heavy metal stress on photosynthetic performance of Spirodela polyrhiza was studied. The photosynthetic activity was measured by using chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis. S. polyrhiza were treated with various concentrations of HgCl2 (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 µM). After 48-hour, various fluorescence parameters (Fm. Fv/Fm and PIcsm) and chlorophyll a content were measured. Results show that with increasing the metal concentration, fluorescence parameters and chlorophyll a content were decreased. The study reveal that heavy metal decreased the photosynthetic activity of S. polyrhiza