Protective effects of certain environmental factors on the toxicity of zinc, mercury, and methylmercury to Chlorella vulgaris

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(81)90026-8· OSTI ID:6253816

Rai, L C; Gaur, J P; Kumar, H D

The specific growth rate and final yield of Chlorella vulgaris treated with zinc, mercury, and methylmercury declined with increase in metal concentration. Methylmercury was most toxic and at 1 x 10/sup -3/ mg/liter concentration it reduced survival by about 50%. Approximately 50% mortality occurred at 25 and 0.4 mg/liter concentration of zinc and mercury, respectively. The total chlorophyll content decreased and the carotenoids/chlorophyll ratio increased with increase in heavy metal concentration. Of the various factors investigated, pH, phosphate, and calcium produced a highly significant (P < 0.001) effect on metal toxicities, and magnesium produced a less significant effect (P < 0.1). The present study suggests that alkaline and hard eutrophic waters might help protect freshwater organisms against heavy metal toxicity.

• Research Organization: Banaras Hindu Univ., India
• OSTI ID: 6253816
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 25:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHLORELLA
SENSITIVITY
MERCURY
TOXICITY
METHYLMERCURY
ZINC
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHLOROPHYLL
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENVIRONMENT
FRESH WATER
GROWTH
METABOLISM
PH VALUE
QUANTITY RATIO
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SURVIVAL CURVES
ALGAE
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYTOCHROMES
PIGMENTS
PLANTS
PORPHYRINS
UNICELLULAR ALGAE
WATER
560302* - Chemicals Metabolism &amp; Toxicology- Microorganisms- (-1987)
550700 - Microbiology
520200 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport- (-1989)