Using Optical Methods to Study the Effect of Detergents on Elodéa canadénsis

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study examining the feasibility of using optical methods (fluorescence and microscopic analysis) to assess the effect of detergents on Elodea canadensis.
The study involved the aquatic macrophyte Elodea canadensis, which was grown in distilled water in three 1-liter containers for three months. The most common dishwashing detergents were added: "Clean Fresh" dishwasher powder (1 mg/l) and "Fairy" dishwashing liquid (1 ml/l).
The experiments were conducted using a laser confocal fluorescence microscopy system based on an Olympus IX71 microscope and an ANDOR laser harvester. Fluorescence analysis was also performed using a Shamrock SR-303i spectrometer (Andor Technology Ltd., UK), an ANDOR DV-420A-OE digital cooled camera (Andor Technology Ltd., UK), and a computer.
The study introduced an optical coefficient that determines the chlorophyll concentration in Elodea canadensis leaves.
The experimental studies using the optical methods revealed that both detergents negatively impacted the chlorophyll concentration of Elodea canadensis, but the degree of toxicity varied.
To assess the toxicity of the studied detergents on Elodea, an optical coefficient was introduced. This showed that Fairy dishwashing detergent had a more pronounced toxic effect on aquatic plants, as evidenced by a 2-fold decrease in the optical coefficient (at the end of the experiments) compared to "Clean Fresh" detergent.
Microscopic analysis confirmed the results obtained using fluorescence analysis.
Thus, the combination of methods (fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal microscopy) is an effective tool for monitoring the condition of aquatic plants exposed to detergents.

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Trutko Olesya Antonovna
Samara National Research University
Russia

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