Desalination effects on macroalgae (part b): Transplantation experiments at brine-impacted sites with Dictyota spp. from the Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

Desalination residual brines are mostly discharged to marine environments, which can produce osmotic stress on sensitive benthic organisms. In this investigation, we performed transplantation experiments nearby desalination plants using two brown macroalgae species from a cosmopolitan genus: Dictyota kunthii (Chile) and dichotoma (Spain). Parameters related photosynthetic activity oxidative were evaluated at 3 7 days for D. , 6 ; each 2 different impacted sites 1 control. We observed that brine exposition both in Chile generated marked response reflected decrease of primary productivity (ETR max ), light requirement (Ek ETR an excessive thermal dissipation (NPQ especially days. similar impaired was recorded but only the highest influence site during day 3. Regarding stress, displayed high levels H O when exposed brine-influenced sites. Although content together with lipid peroxidation higher after days, these returned baseline values towards 7; instead, increased 6. This easy practical approach has proven provide valuable data address potential impacts discharges global scale coastal ecosystems.