Effects of salinity on growth and nickel accumulation capacity of Lemna gibba (Lemnaceae)

The effect of salinization of water on the growth rate and nickel accumulation capacity of Lemna gibba was studied under laboratory conditions. At high salinity (375 and 500 mol m(-3) NaCl), we observed that decreasing growth rate with increasing water salt level. Especially, at a salinity of 500 mol m(-3) NaCl, the net growth rate became negative. Additionally, growth rate of roots was significantly reduced at salinity of 250 mol m(-3) NaCl and significantly reduced at 500 mol m(-3) NaCl compared to a freshwater control. Biomass production was inhibited by an increase in salinity. Furthermore, high salinity caused decreasing nickel accumulation by L. gibba. In this study, a simple model was created according to data obtained from this study. The model has suggested that salinity is an important factor in limitation of growth of L. gibba.