Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences

This article aims to determine how saline pollutants affect plants from the aquatic environment and to observe the changes in Ludwigia glandulosa morphology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry in order to assess this species as a potential bioindicator of water quality with focus on saline stress. Several individuals of L. glandulosa were submerged in solutions of various concentrations of salts (sodium chloride, nitrites and nitrates). An influence on morphometric indices of plant organs was observed, while anatomical sections of stems and leaves revealed plasmolysis, reduction of photosynthetic activity, excessive accumulation of starch, high numbers of open stomata and raphides and variations of vascular bundles positioning, which could reflect a response to saline stress. These results were further sustained by values of leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, and of chlorophyll, total anthocyanins and polyphenols contents. Changes in the organic/inorganic contents of roots, stems and leaves were noted. Following these results, Ludwigia glandulosa growth parameters may reflect changes in water quality, especially in the presence of salts in high concentrations.