Influence of copper and zinc on the growth of a freshwater alga, Scenedesmus quadricauda: the significance of chemical speciation

Journal Article · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 UTC 1982 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00102a003· OSTI ID:6721323

Petersen, R

Scenedesmus quadricauda was grown in a defined medium with a wide range of copper and zinc concentrations. The growth rate of the alga was influenced by the concentration of each of the two metal ions, Cu/sub aq//sup 2 +/ and Zn/sub aq//sup 2 +/. The growth rate of the alga can be predicted from concentrations of the two metal ions. These data indicate that zinc is an essential trace metal for Scenedesmus quadricauda and that copper and zinc are toxic when presented in excess. The results suggest also that the free metal ion is the chemical form of each metal that is significant in controlling biological effects (both nutrition and toxicity). The expression used to describe these results is a special case of a general expression that may be used to describe the combination effect on algal growth of any number of metals in solution, including a consideration of the chemical speciation of each metal.

• Research Organization: Portland State Univ., OR
• OSTI ID: 6721323
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 16:8; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALGAE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
COPPER COMPOUNDS
FRESH WATER
GROWTH
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
WATER
ZINC COMPOUNDS