Pamela Tamara Muñoz

Dr. Pamela Tamara Muñoz

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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19 October 2025 in Environments
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
FMFrancisca Morales
Francisca Morales
PMPamela Tamara Muñoz
Pamela Tamara Muñoz
AUAgustina Undabarrena
Agustina Undabarrena
Paula S.M. Celis-PláPaula S.M. Celis-Plá
Paula S.M. Celis-Plá
CRConsuelo Rámila
Consuelo Rámila
Fernanda Rodriguez-RojasFernanda Rodriguez-Rojas
Fernanda Rodriguez-Rojas
Antarctica is experiencing one of the fastest warming rates globally, profoundly impacting seawater temperature and salinity, with direct consequences for marine life. The present study examined the combined effects of salinity fluctuations at 20, 33 (control salinity), and 41 psu, and temperatures of 2 °C (control temperature) and 8 °C (thermal stress) for 3 days, on the health and physiology of the Antarctic intertidal macroalga Adenocystis utricularis. Photosynthetic activity, photoinhibition, and photoprotective processes were assessed alongside biomarkers of oxidative stress/damage (total ROS, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation) and antioxidant/osmotic response (ascorbate, free amino acids, and proline). The results showed that maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) remained stable under both salinity and thermal stress. However, productivity (ETRmax), the photoprotection index (NPQmax), and irradiance saturation (EkETR) were significantly decreased at 8 °C, remaining constant under salinity fluctuations. At 2 °C, oxidative stress and damage were significantly higher under hypo- and hypersalinity conditions. However, at 8 °C, oxidative stress indicators decreased, accompanied by increased ascorbate levels in both hypo- (20 psu) and hypersalinity (41 psu) treatments compared to the control salinity. While warming temperatures negatively altered the oxidative response of A. utricularis at a 33 psu, we report here an interactive effect between salinity and temperature, leading to an altered stress response to salinity fluctuations under thermal stress. This study provides key information to better understand the adaptation of Antarctic intertidal macroalgae to multifactor climate change consequences.