Comparison of Aeration Status Measurements by Clark Sensor (DO) and ODR-Meter during Azolla caroliniana Willd. Growth in the Presence of Cd(II) and Hg(II)

The aim of this study was examination possibility of Azolla caroliniana Willd. to aerate its medium enriched with Cd(II) and Hg(II) and comparison of DO and ODR methods in measurement aeration status of solutions. Azolla system has been chosen to verify the validity of the measuring ODR method in water solution. Water aeration measurements, one of important environmental tests, are performed most often by measurement of dissolved oxygen with oxygen sensors. Other similar method called oxygen diffusion rate is generally used in different porous materials such as soil. Our first objective was to check if these both methods are comparable and may be use exchangeable in water solution. The both types of measurements were performed in medium saturated at different oxygen concentrations. The linear relationship and high correlation (R = 0.89) were found between values of ODR and DO. The object of the second part of our studies was A. caroliniana Willd. (Azollaceae), a floating water fern living in symbiosis with cyanobacterium Anabaena azollae Strasb. (Nostoceae) that fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Azolla plants are used for centuries as a nitrogen biofertilizer. The second aim of our work was to find out, if the fern reduces or increases oxygen concentration in water. The ODR method was used to determine the aeration status of the nutrient solution. During 12 days of the experiment at laboratory conditions, an active role of A. caroliniana in aeration of the nutrient solution containing Cd(II) and Hg(II) was stated.