Effects of nitrogen dioxide on algae

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1980.00472425000900010010x· OSTI ID:6301586

Wodzinski, R S; Alexander, M

Photosynthetic activity of Anabaena flos-aquae in a soil suspension at an initial pH of 4.9 was almost totally eliminated after 3 days of exposure to 5.0 ppm (..mu..l/liter) NO/sub 2/, at which time the pH had fallen to 3.9. In contrast, A. flos-aquae in soil suspensions at an initial pH of 6.0 was not inhibited after 3 days by 5.0 ppm NO/sub 2/, but the activity was reduced by half in the presence of 15.0 ppm NO/sub 2/; the pH was 6.5 and 5.8, respectively, in the NO/sub 2/-treated samples on day 3. Photosynthesis by the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Ankistrodesmus falcatus in soil suspensions at an initial pH of approx 4.2 was not appreciably affected by 15.0 ppm of NO/sub 2/ after 3 days, at which time the pH had fallen below 4.0. The high levels of NO/sub 2/ and low pH values required for toxicity suggest that blue-green and green algae probably will not be affected directly by NO/sub 2/ in polluted air.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY
• OSTI ID: 6301586
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Vol. 9:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALGAE
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
TOXICITY
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PLANTS
SYNTHESIS
560303* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)