Antioxidant Defences in Planktonic Crustaceans Exposed to Different Underwater Light Irradiances in Andean Lakes

In freshwater environments direct biological effect of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) result from absorption of specific wavelengths by macromolecules and alteration of biochemical processes. Indirect effects are related to UVR interaction with water and dissolved organic carbon to form chemically reactive species (ROS: reactive oxygen species). Zooplankton photoprotection includes mycosporine-like amino acids, pigments, production of quenching agents and antioxidant enzymes. The relative importance of each mechanism would depend on the organisms. In this study, we determined the antioxidant enzyme activities Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the copepod Boeckella gracilipes and the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia in three Andean lakes of the North-Patagonia region. There were differences in antioxidant enzymes expression between copepods and cladocerans. CAT was significantly higher in C. dubia than in B. gracilipes whereas GST was similar in both species. The comparison of B. gracilipes enzyme activity in the three lakes showed also differences in GST but not in CAT. DOC decreases the exposure by absorption of UVR but simultaneously acts as photosensitizer producing ROS and their successive toxic products in the surface waters. We discuss that comparisons among lakes of different DOC should be considered carefully because lake physico-chemicals parameters, as well as food web structure, will difficult any predictions on the net effect of DOC.     

茄二十八星瓢虫对雷公藤和曼陀罗提取物的敏感性

为研究寄主植物对茄二十八星瓢虫药剂敏感性及体内酶活力的影响,采用浸渍法分别测定了取食茄子、马铃薯、番茄和龙葵的茄二十八星瓢虫幼虫(以下简称幼虫)对雷公藤和曼陀罗提取物的敏感性,用生化方法测定了雷公藤和曼陀罗提取物对幼虫体内乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)和主要解毒酶活性的影响。结果表明,雷公藤提取物对取食茄子、马铃薯、番茄和龙葵的幼虫LC50值分别为1.407 9 mg.L-1、1.595 8 mg.L-1、1.464 7 mg.L-1和1.109 7 mg.L-1,相对毒力指数为78.82、69.54、75.76和100;曼陀罗提取物对取食茄子、马铃薯、番茄和龙葵的幼虫LC50值分别为0.641 7 mg.L-1、0.610 3 mg.L-1、0.758 0 mg.L-1和0.488 3 mg.L-1,相对毒力指数为76.09、80.01、64.42和100;取食龙葵的幼虫对2种植物提取物的敏感性显著高于取食茄子、马铃薯和番茄的幼虫。取食4种寄主植物的幼虫体内靶标酶AChE和主要解毒酶谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)、羧酸酯酶(CarE)、多功能氧化酶(MFO)活力顺序均为茄子>马铃薯>番茄>龙葵。其中,取食番茄和龙葵的幼虫体内AChE和GST活力显著低于取食茄子和马铃薯的幼虫,取食马铃薯、番茄和龙葵的幼虫CarE活力显著低于取食茄子的幼虫,取食4种寄主植物的幼虫MFO活力差异达极显著水平。雷公藤和曼陀罗提取物对幼虫体内AChE和GST、CarE和MFO活性均有抑制作用。其中,对取食马铃薯幼虫的AChE活力抑制作用最强,其次为取食茄子和番茄的幼虫,对取食龙葵的幼虫抑制作用最低。雷公藤和曼陀罗提取物对取食龙葵幼虫CarE活力的抑制作用最强,而对取食马铃薯的幼虫MFO活力的抑制作用最强。寄主植物中的次生物质对解毒酶的诱导或抑制可能是引起药剂敏感性差异的主要原因。     

Spatial distribution of earthworm species assemblages in a chalky slope of the Seine Valley (Normandy, France)

The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial distribution of earthworm species assemblages on a chalky slope of the Seine Valley (Upper Normandy, France), with contrasting vegetation cover representing the different stages of a typical post-pastoral secondary succession. Samples were hand sorted in a spatially explicit design consisting of a regular grid. A Principal Component Analysis was performed to identify species associations. Maps of the factorial coordinates of sample points together with geostatistical analysis were used to describe the spatial structure of the assemblages. The first axis of the PCA opposed points with high density to others with low. The resulting spatial structure was significant. The second axis opposed points where species assemblages were dominated either by an endogeic (Allolobophora chlorotica), an anecic (Aporrectodea longa) and an epigeic species (Lumbricus castaneus) to others dominated by two endogeics (Aporrectodea rosea and Octolasium cyaneum). A significant spatial structure was detected, with alternating patches characterised by one species assemblage or the other. The location of these structures did not seem to be clearly associated with a specific vegetation type. These results  revealed a complex determinism of species co-occurrence at small spatial scale.     

Can the Activities of Acetylcholinesterase and Glutathione S-Transferases of Crangon crangon (L.) be Used as Biomarkers of Fuel Oil Exposure?

This work aimed to determine the sensitivity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) activities of Crangon crangon (L.) to the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of the fuel oil spilled by the oil tanker Prestige, in order to assess their usefulness as markers for this kind of pollution. Laboratory exposure of shrimps to WAF of weathered Prestige fuel oil showed no significant interference with AChE activity. Significant induction of GST activity was observed, potentially as a result of high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. However, these results were only obtained with the higher WAF concentrations tested. It was concluded that AChE and GST activities of C. crangon were not useful biomarkers for short-term exposure to the WAF of fuel oil spilled by the tanker Prestige and carried to the beaches of Galicia (NW Spain).     

Multivariate statistical analysis of precipitation chemistry in northwestern Spain

149 samples of rainwater were collected in the proximity of a power station in northwestern Spain at three rainwater monitoring stations. We analyze the resulting data using multivariate statistical techniques. Firstly, the Principal Component Analysis shows that there are three main sources of pollution in the area (a marine source, a rural source and an acid source). The impact from pollution from these sources on the immediate environment of the stations is studied using Factorial Discriminant Analysis.     

A Multivariate Data Analysis of the Clam Ruditapes Decussatus as Sentinel Organism of the Bizerta Lagoon (Tunisia)

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - From May 1998 to May 1999, the clams Ruditapes decussatus were collected each month at three stations of the Bizerta lagoon. This paper represents a synthesis...     

转Bt-Cry1Ac基因棉花对烟粉虱体内几种酶活力的影响

为研究转Bt基因棉花上烟粉虱种群较常规棉上升的原因是否受到Bt毒蛋白的影响,以及是否与体内保护酶和解毒酶活力变化有关,应用转Bt基因棉花‘新棉33B’及其常规棉受体‘33’为试验对象,采用ELISA法和酶活力测定法,分别研究了取食转Bt基因棉花后烟粉虱体内Bt毒蛋白含量以及体内过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)3种保护酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)、羧酸酯酶(CarE)和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GSTs)3种解毒酶活力的变化情况。结果表明,在取食转Bt基因棉花‘新棉33B’4 h后,烟粉虱体内能检测到Cry1Ac蛋白,并且在12 h后维持在一个相对稳定的状态。取食‘新棉33B’后烟粉虱体内的SOD和GSTs活力受到显著抑制(P0.05),并且随着取食时间的延长,SOD活力逐渐下降,其中取食8 h、12 h、24 h和36 h后较取食‘33’的对照分别下降了37.8%、32.1%、32.0%和31.9%。CAT、POD和CarE活力显著提高(P0.05),并且随着取食时间的延长,酶活力逐渐上升,与对照相比,取食12 h、24 h和36 h后,CAT活力分别为取食‘33’的对照的1.54倍、1.55倍和1.42倍;POD活力分别为取食‘33’的对照的1.59倍、1.39倍和1.53倍;CarE活力分别为取食‘33’的对照的1.32倍、1.34倍和1.39倍;取食‘新棉33B’对AChE活力没有明显影响。结果提示,转Bt-Cry1Ac基因棉花对烟粉虱保护酶活力总体起到促进作用,对解毒酶活力总体影响不大。故烟粉虱体内保护酶活力的增加可能会有益于烟粉虱种群的增长,但是否起到决定性作用还有待进一步研究确定。     

泥鳅生长及抗氧化 解毒酶系统对水体中转Cry1Ab/Ac基因水稻残遗物的响应

在泥鳅养殖水体中添加稻秆粉模拟水稻残遗物生境,研究了泥鳅生长和肝胰脏抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT)与解毒酶(GST)活性对转Cry1Ab/Ac基因水稻‘华恢1号’(HH1)的响应。设计以HH1稻秆粉10 mg·L?1、50 mg·L?1、100 mg·L?1和200 mg·L?1 4个梯度浓度处理泥鳅为试验组,以非转Bt基因水稻‘明恢63’(MH63)稻秆粉处理组为阴性对照,不加稻秆粉的基础饲养组为空白对照。结果显示:在4种稻秆粉浓度下,HH1组与MH63对照组泥鳅的特定生长率、肥满度、内脏系数及SOD、CAT和GST酶活性均无显著差异(P0.05);与空白对照比较,稻秆粉浓度升高对泥鳅生长的抑制逐渐增强,当浓度达到200 mg·L?1时,HH1组和MH63对照组泥鳅的特定生长率、内脏系数与CAT活性降低。研究结果表明,水体中低含量的转融合基因Cry1Ab/Ac水稻HH1稻秆粉对泥鳅的生长与生理酶活性没有明显影响,高浓度HH1和MH63稻秆粉均使泥鳅的生长和生理酶活性显著降低,这可能与养殖水体中浓度较高的悬浮稻秆粉妨碍了泥鳅的呼吸和滤食,及稻秆粉的分解降低了水体p H和溶氧量有关。     

盐胁迫下两种草坪草膜脂过氧化和抗氧化酶比较

Salinity stress is a major factor limiting the growth of turfgrass irrigated with recycled wastewater. The change in lipid peroxidation in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxide (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) in the shoots and roots of Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue were investigated under salinity stress. Plants were subjected to 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mmol L 1 NaCl for 40 d. The MDA content under salinity stress was lower in tall fescue than in Kentucky bluegrass in both shoots and roots. Activities of SOD in the shoots of both species increased with salinity stress. The activities of CAT and APX decreased in Kentucky bluegrass, but no significant difference in the activities of CAT and APX was observed in tall fescue. The activities of SOD, CAT and APX in the shoots of tall fescue were higher than those in Kentucky bluegrass. In the roots of Kentucky bluegrass, SOD and GR activities increased and CAT and APX activities decreased in comparison with the control. In the roots of tall fescue, salinity increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and APX. These results suggested that tall fescue exhibited a more effective protection mechanism and mitigated oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation by maintaining higher SOD, CAT and APX activities than Kentucky bluegrass.     

近60年湘江流域水沙特性及其对人类活动的响应

湘江流域人类活动对湘江水沙变化具有显著影响。利用M-K次序法、Pettitt非参数检验法和双累积曲线法分析湘江干支流1953-2014年的年径流量、汛期径流量和非汛期径流量与输沙量的关系,并分析水土保持和水库建设等人类活动与水沙演变的关系。结果表明:1)湘江干支流水文站的年径流量、汛期径流量与输沙量的相关性强,且1990年后湘潭站径流量-输沙量的相关系数为0.83,而非汛期相关性较弱。1990年前,干流站点径流量和输沙量处于波动状态,1990年后干流站点径流量总体呈增加趋势,但输沙量呈减小趋势,且老埠头站的输沙量发生微幅突变。除个别站点之外,支流站点的径流量和输沙量发生突变的年份与变化规律均一致。2)水土保持以及水库建设对湘江流域的拦沙作用是输沙量减少的主要原因。相比支流,水土保持对湘江干流流域的输沙量减少影响更显著,水库建设与湘江干支流输沙量减少均密切相关。3)根据湘江流域输沙量突变点可划分A(1960-1987年)、B(1988-1996年)、C(1997-2013年)3个时期,在不考虑温度变化的影响下,以A时期1960-1987年为基准期,利用累积量斜率变化率比较法可知,相比基准期A时期,B、C时期水土保持和水库拦沙等人类活动对输沙量的减少的贡献率为88.58%和94.01%,人类活动为输沙量减小的主要因素。     

Effects of biofertilizers and cycocel on some physiological and biochemical traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salinity stress

In order to study the effects of biofertilizers and cycocel on some physiological and biochemical characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salinity condition, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications under greenhouse condition in 2015. Treatments were included salinity in four levels [no salt (control or S₀), salinity 30 (S₁), 60 (S₂) and 90 (S₃) mM NaCl equivalent of 2.76, 5.53 and 8.3 dS m^?1, respectively], four biofertilizers levels [no biofertilizer (F₀), seed inoculation by Azotobacter chrocoocum strain 5 (F₁), Pseudomonas putida strain 186 (F₂), both inoculation Azotobacter + Pseudomonas (F₃)] and three cycocel levels [without cycocel as control (C₀), application of 600 (C₁) and 1000 (C₂) mg L^?1]. Results showed that salinity severe stress (90 mM) decreased chlorophyll content, relative water content (RWC), total chlorophyll, photochemical efficiency of PSII and yield of wheat. Whereas, soluble sugars and proline content, electrical conductivity (EC), the activity of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes were increased. Similar results were observed in CAT, POD and PPO activities due to inoculation by biofertilizers and cycocel. Salinity at 30 mM increased the photochemical efficiency of PSII and chlorophyll content in plants grown under biofertilizer and cycocel treatment but with increasing salinity up to 90 mM mentioned parameters were decreased. The highest proline and soluble carbohydrate at all salinity levels were observed in plants treated in the highest cycocel level and Azotobacter+ Pseudomonas application. Generally, it was concluded that biofertilizers and cycocel can be used as a proper tool for increasing wheat yield under salinity condition.     

Effects of Single Metals and their Mixtures on Selected Enzymes of Carcinus Maenas

In this work, the acute effects of copper, chromium and mixtures of both metals on females of the marine crab Carcinus maenas were investigated. The parameters indicative of toxicity were mortality and the activity of the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutathione-S-tranferases (GST). LC50 values determined at 96 hr were 51.8 mg L^-1 for copper, 49.8 mg L^-1 for chromium and 15 mg L^-1 Cu + 43.6 mg L^-1 Cr for the mixture of both metals. Copper, chromium and the mixtures of both metals significantly inhibit haemolymph AChE, ovarian LDH and hepatopancreas GST after an in vivo exposure of 96 hr to concentrations lower than NOEC values for mortality. Furthermore, the mixtures tested showed a more pronounced effect than individual agents.     

Does leaf litter quality influence population parameters of the common woodlouse, Porcellio scaber (Crustacea: Isopoda)?

Population parameters (mortality of females, reproductive success, longevity of juveniles) of the common woodlouse, Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Oniscidea), were examined with respect to the influence of varying leaf litter attributes: pH level, microbial cellulase activity, microbial dehydrogenase activity, protein content, nitrogen content, water content, tannin content, total phenol content and toughness of the leaves. These attributes were combined by using Principal Component Analysis. We obtained three Principal Components (PC) that were defined as “acidification,”“microorganisms” and “tree species.” The PCs explained 85% of the variance of leaf litter attributes. The PC “acidification” mainly influenced the mortality of females (P<0.001), while the longevity of juveniles showed significant correlation to the PC “microorganisms” (P<0.05). The PC “tree species” showed no influence on the observed population parameters, indicating that the leaf litter species itself had no direct influence on the population parameters of P. scaber. The reproductive success of females could not be explained by either of the PCs, but was influenced by cellulolytically active microorganisms (P<0.01). From these results, we conclude that acidification and reduced microbial activity in the field will cause a decrease in population density of P. scaber. Received: 30 July 1996     

中华稻蝗不同体段镉与铅含量及抗氧化酶的比较

采用现场采样及室内测试方法,对中华稻蝗不同体段的镉与铅含量、MDA及H2O2自由基含量、GSH含量及其相关酶（GST、GPx、GR）活性、SOD及CAT活性进行了研究。结果表明,镉与铅含量均在胸部最高,其次为腹部和头部,后足含量最低。胸部镉含量分别是腹部、头部和后足的2.83、3.40和5.67倍,铅含量分别是腹部、头部和后足的1.29、1.39和1.41倍。GSH、MDA、H2O2含量及SOD、CAT活性均为后足最高,其次为头部和腹部,胸部最低。GST在4个体段的活性无显著差异。GR活性的顺序为头部〉胸部〉腹部〉后足,GPx活性的顺序为头部〉腹部〉胸部〉后足。进入土壤中的镉与铅经食物链转运后,在中华稻蝗体内富集,据此可将中华稻蝗作为农业环境中镉与铅污染的指示生物。     

间歇性干旱对福寿螺生长、抗氧化能力和消化酶活性的影响

福寿螺(Pomacea canaliculata)是首批列入我国外来入侵物种黑名单的生物。本文采用干旱后复水方式喂养福寿螺48 d,研究间歇性干旱处理下福寿螺摄食生长、肝胰脏抗氧化能力及胃消化酶活力变化。结果显示:间歇性干旱能够显著降低福寿螺的体重增长率,对存活率影响不明显;福寿螺在恢复摄食期间出现部分补偿生长现象,主要是通过复水后增大摄食量来实现的,当间歇性干旱时间间隔延长到8 d时,则是通过增大摄食量和提高食物转化率的双重作用来实现的;除间隔4 d间歇性干旱下SOD酶活力以外,福寿螺在短间隔(1~4 d)间歇性干旱下SOD和CAT活力均出现不同程度的增加,而MDA含量明显降低;在长间隔(8 d)间歇性干旱下,SOD和CAT活力均低于对照组,且MDA含量与对照组无差别;间歇性干旱降低了福寿螺肝胰脏中GST和GSH-PX活性,对GSH含量无明显影响;除间隔1 d的处理组胃脂肪酶外,间歇性干旱能够不同程度地提高福寿螺胃淀粉酶和胃脂肪酶活力。总体而言,在间歇性干旱胁迫下,福寿螺可通过提高摄食率、食物转化率、抗氧化能力、消化酶活性等,在一定程度上来缓解胁迫带来的影响,但间歇性干旱能够明显抑制福寿螺的正常生长,表明通过农田水位交替性变化可在一定程度上防控福寿螺的暴发与危害。     

Kinetics of Zinc Uptake and Anatomy of Roots and Leaves of Coffee Trees as Affected by Zinc Nutrition

Abstract

The influence of silicon (Si) (2.5 mM), sodium chloride (NaCl) (100 mM), and Si (2.5 mM) + NaCl (97.5 mM) supply on chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), H₂O₂ level, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; E.C.1.15.1.1.), ascorbate peroxidase (APx; E.C.1.11.1.11.), catalase (CAT; E.C.1.11.1.6.), guaiacol peroxidase (G-POD; E.C.1.11.1.7.) enzymes, and protein content were studied in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill c.v.) leaves over 10-day and 27-day periods. The results indicated that silicon partially offset the negative impacts of NaCl stress with increased the tolerance of tomato plants to NaCl salinity by raising SOD and CAT activities, chlorophyll content, and photochemical efficiency of PSII. Salt stress decreased SOD and CAT activities and soluble protein content in the leaves. However, addition of silicon to the nutrient solution enhanced SOD and CAT activities and protein content in tomato leaves under salt stress. In contrast, salt stress slightly promoted APx activity and considerably increased H₂O₂ level and MDA concentration and Si addition slightly decreased APx activity and significantly reduced H₂O₂ level and MDA concentration in the leaves of salt-treated plants. G-POD activity was slightly decreased by addition of salt and Si. Enhanced activities of SOD and CAT by Si addition may protect the plant tissues from oxidative damage induced by salt, thus mitigating salt toxicity and improving the growth of tomato plants. These results confirm that the scavenging system forms the primary defense line in protecting oxidative damage under stress in crop plants.     

Effects of Silicon Application on Wheat Growth and Some Physiological Characteristics under Different Levels and Sources of Salinity

We investigated the effects of silicon (Si) and the levels and sources of salinity on the growth and some physiological properties of wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Chamran) in a sandy loam soil under greenhouse conditions. Treatments comprised four Si levels (8, 50, 100 and 150 mg kg^?1 soil), four salinity levels (0.46, 4, 8 and 12 dS m^?1) and two salinity sources (sodium chloride (NaCl) and four-salt combination). Salts combination included NaCl, sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄), calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) at a molar ratio of 4:2:2:1. The experiment was arranged as a completely randomized design in a factorial manner, with three replications. Increasing salinity level resulted in a significant decrease in shoot dry weight, chlorophyll content and catalase (CAT) activity, and it caused a marked increase in proline and glycine betaine (GB) concentrations and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity. The stimulating effect on GB accumulation and SOD activity was more intense in NaCl-treated plants. However, the source of salinity had no significant effect on shoot dry weight, chlorophyll and proline concentrations, and CAT activity. Si application enhanced all the above-mentioned parameters, except for proline. The suppressing effect of salinity on shoot dry weight, chlorophyll concentration and CAT activity was alleviated by Si supplementation. The stimulating effects of Si fertilization on shoot dry weight and chlorophyll concentration became more pronounced at higher salinity levels. It could be concluded that a decrease in soil osmotic potential, nutrient imbalance and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in salt-treated plants caused growth suppression, while Si supply decreased the deleterious effects of excess salt on wheat growth. Consequently, it appears that when wheat plants are to be grown in salt-affected soils, it is highly recommended to supply them with adequate available silicon (Si).     

Influence of Salinity in the Bioavailability of Zn in Sediments of the Gulf of Cádiz (Spain)

This study assesses the effect of salinity in bioavailability and toxicity of Zn by means of laboratory bioassays by observing contamination in both sediment and water, accumulation of Zn in biological tissues, and histopathological damage in the gills and guts tissues of Ruditapes philippinarum clams, which were exposed to different types of sediments from the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Spain) as well as two dilutions of toxic mud coming from an accidental mining spill. With this objective, the coefficients of distribution (K _D) for Zn between overlying water and sediments were calculated, the histopathological frequencies in the tissues of the gills and guts of clams were determined, and the biota-sediment bioaccumulation factors as well as the bioaccumulation factors were quantified in the different stations. Results showed that the greatest histopathological damages appeared when the salinity values decreased. Statistical results showed that salinity was inversely correlated with histopathological damage (p?<?0.01) for the lesion index for gills. The most outstanding results were observed in the two dilutions of toxic mud (0.3% and 7.9%) at a salinity value of 10. Salinity was inversely correlated with the concentration of Zn in biological tissues (p?<?0.05) and inversely correlated with the concentration of Zn in water and sediment. Zn mobilization to the overlying water is produced when salinity values decrease.     

Estimation of Point and Diffuse Contaminant Loads to Streams by Non-Parametric Regression Analysis of Monitoring Data

In this study, point and diffuse contaminant loads to a stream are estimated using stream monitoring data. Regression analysis is conducted to separate point source loads and background contaminant loads using water quality and flow time series. Non-parametric methods are utilized for regression and auxiliary statistical tests to eliminate the effects of outliers in the data and to avoid restrictions posed by assumptions of normality. Point source loads and background concentrations are estimated directly by regression of data from a station. A second station is needed to estimate diffuse load contributions. The method is exemplified using data from a polluted stream in Turkey, the Porsuk Stream. Point and diffuse loads are estimated for six water quality parameters, chloride, dissolved solids, ammonia, nitrate, biochemical oxygen demand and total phosphorus. It is found that for many water quality parameters, contaminant loads to a stream can be estimated with reasonable accuracy.     

Do reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by NaCl contribute to ammonium accumulation in Spartina alterniflora?

Growth, activity of antioxidant enzymes viz. glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and some metabolic processes related to ammonium metabolism were investigated in a salt‐tolerant Spatina alterniflora. In comparison to 0 mM–NaCl treatment, growth of S. alterniflora plant increased significantly at 200 mM NaCl, but was highly inhibited at 500 mM NaCl. Ammonium concentration in the leaves and roots increased 2.1–3.4 times when plants were treated with 500 mM NaCl. Under 200 mM NaCl, antioxidant‐enzyme activities increased, however, at 500 mM the antioxidant system was unable to compensate reactive oxygen species induced by NaCl. At this high level of salinity, ammonium production through nitrate reductase (NR) was inhibited, but no significant changes in the activities of glutamine synthetase (GS) or glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) were found. We conclude that the accumulation of ammonium under high salt stress was not due to inhibition of the assimilatory activities of GS or GDH. Ammonia accumulation under high salinity may result from amino acid and protein catabolism activated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or a lack of carbon skeletons to incorporate ammonium into organic molecules due to a decrease in photosynthetic activity in salt‐stressed plants.