Resistance of Green Algae Ulva lactuca L. and Associated Microorganisms to the Effect of Diesel Fuel under Experimental Conditions

The ability of Ulva lactuca from the Barents Sea to survive with a content of water-soluble fractions of diesel fuel in water up to 1 mg/L was demonstrated experimentally. With a content in the environment of more than 4.9 mg/L, macrophytes demonstrated a disruption of the cell structure, a decrease in the photosynthetic rate (2–16 times relative to the control), a decrease in the content of photosynthetic pigments (more than two times relative to the control), and an increase in the content of hydrogen peroxide and activity of superoxide dismutase. The quantitative characteristics of the epiphytic bacterial community changed significantly. A high content of petroleum products in the environment limits the spread of U. lactuca algae; however, with minor pollution, they can be actively involved in the processes of bioremediation.