Indirect aluminum toxicity to the green alga Scenedesmus through increased cupric ion activity

Journal Article · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00159a002· OSTI ID:6403746

Rueter, Jr, J G; O'Reilly, K T; Petersen, R R

Additions of aluminum and copper to chemically defined media resulted in inhibition of growth of Scenedesmus and of alkaline phosphatase activity. The alkaline phosphatase activity was assayed both on commercially available purified enzyme from bacteria and on the enzyme present in whole Scenedesmus cells. The effect of metal additions was compared to the total aluminum added and to the computed free ion activities for both copper and aluminum. In all three systems (algal growth, purified enzyme, and algal enzyme) the observed toxicity with increased total aluminum was mostly due to an increase in cupric ion activity. The algal growth response was affected for the range of cupric ion activities from 10/sup -6/ to 10/sup -12/. The toxic dose response of aluminum was largely due to indirect competitive effects of Al in the medium that displaced copper from the chelator. 33 references, 4 figures.

• Research Organization: Portland State Univ., OR
• OSTI ID: 6403746
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 21:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALUMINIUM
TOXICITY
ENZYME ACTIVITY
INHIBITION
PLANT GROWTH
SCENEDESMUS
INJURIES
ALGAE
COPPER
COPPER IONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
IONS
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
UNICELLULAR ALGAE
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology