Evaluation of fluoranthene phytotoxicity in pea plants by Hill reaction and chlorophyll fluorescence

The effect of both increased concentrations (0.01 and 1 mg l−1) of fluoranthene (FLT) and the duration of exposure (18 and 25 days) on the growth and photosynthetic processes in pea plants (Pisum sativum L., cv. Garde) was investigated. FLT concentration in roots and shoot of pea plants was also determined. The obtained results demonstrated that the higher concentration of FLT (1 mg l−1) significantly inhibited the growth of the pea plants after 25 days of the application, also affected the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids), and the primary photochemical processes of photosynthesis. In chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, the significant increase of F0 values and the decrease of FV/FM and ΦII values was recorded. The Hill reaction of isolated chloroplasts of pea plants was significantly inhibited after 25 days by presence of FLT (0.01 and 1 mg l−1) in nutrient solution, while after 18 days no significant response of Hill reaction activity was recorded. The fluoranthene content in roots and shoot of pea plants increased with increasing FLT concentration in the environment and the substantial accumulation of FLT was observed in the roots.