Infl uence of Heavy Metals on the Intensity of Bioluminescence Formed in the Pelagial of the North-Eastern Black Sea

Abstract

The purpose is the assess the infl uence of the marine environment pollution by heavy metals on the change in the intensity of bioluminescence of both pelagial inhabitants in general and the numerous representative of bioluminescent organisms in the Black Sea – Noctiluca scintillans (Macartney) Kofoid & Swezy, 1921. Materials and methods. Data on the intensity of bioluminescent glow were obtained on the voyages of the vessel "Professor Vodianitsky" in 2010-2013 at stations located in the North-Eastern part of the Black Sea. In addition, literature data on the amplitude and duration of the N. scintillans bioluminescent fl ash were used in the calculation and analysis. Results and discussion. It was shown that when exposed to CuSO4 and HgCl2 with a concentration of more than 10 μg/l after 7 days, bioluminescent glow of N. scintillans stops completely, and when exposed to PlCl2 and ZnCl2 , the intensity of bioluminescence decreases to the level of 30 % of the control group. The response of pelagial inhabitants in the Kerch pre-spill region to heavy metal pollution is to reduce the intensity of bioluminescence by 1,37 times when contaminated with one of the heavy metals and 3 times when contaminated with three metals. Conclusion. An assessment was made of a decrease in the intensity of bioluminescent glow in the pelagial of the Kerch pre-spill region during pollution of seawater with heavy metals.