Comparative study of aluminum and copper transport and toxicity in an acid-tolerant freshwater green alga

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00148a012· OSTI ID:5743723

Folsom, B R; Popescu, N A; Wood, J M

A comparative study of the transport and toxicity of one nonessential metal (aluminum), and one essential metal (copper), has been performed with the acid-tolerant green alga Chlorella saccarophila. This organism was isolated from a naturally acidified lake and grows well in laboratory cultures at pH 3.0. Our results show that the fast-exchange ions Ca/sup 2 +/, Mg/sup 2 +/, and Na/sup +/ offer some protection against both Al/sup 3 +/ and Cu/sup 2 +/ toxicity whereas K/sup +/ protects against Al/sup 3 +/ toxicity but enhances Cu/sup 2 +/ toxicity. Plasma emission spectroscopy shows that complexation of Al/sup 3 +/ and Fe/sup 3 +/ to cell surfaces is important in preventing toxic cytoplasmic levels of these metals, both in culture media and in acid mine water. The aqueous ion chemistry for toxic metal uptake is simplified considerably in acidic conditions, where competing hydrolysis and precipitation reactions are eliminated. Therefore, simple competitive experiments can be performed quantitatively. 12 references, 7 figures, 1 table.

• Research Organization: Gray Freshwater Biological Institute, Navarre, MN
• OSTI ID: 5743723
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 20:6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALUMINIUM
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
TOXICITY
UPTAKE
COPPER
CALCIUM
CHLORELLA
MAGNESIUM
POTASSIUM
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SODIUM
ALGAE
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ELEMENTS
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
UNICELLULAR ALGAE
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
560303 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)