Successive changes in bacterioplankton communities in the River Rhine after copper additions

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620140909· OSTI ID:118680

Tubbing, D M.J.; Admiraal, W ^[1]; Katako, A ^[2]

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1. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven (Netherlands)
2. International Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Delft (Netherlands)

The sensitivity of bacterioplankton to copper was analyzed to see whether initial steps in the selection of cooper-tolerant life-forms in mixed populations of bacteria were accompanied by changes in basic metabolic parameters. Analysis took place by measuring the incorporation of [{sup 3}H]thymidine and [{sup 3}H]leucine, and the hydrolysis of leucyl-{beta}-naphthylamide over a period of 4 d. In acute toxicity tests the radiochemically determined parameters showed the same sensitivities to copper, whereas in the enzyme test the dose-response curve had a much lower slope, indicating less sensitivity. Marked differences were observed in the susceptibility of the different processes after prolonged exposure to copper. Incorporation of [{sup 3}H]thymidine, [{sup 3}H]leucine, and proteolytic activity changed substantially during exposure to concentrations as low as 2 to 31 {micro}g Cu L{sup {minus}1}. Higher copper concentrations 126--1,000 {micro}g Cu L{sup {minus}1} led in the course of 24 to 48 h to the development of a bacterial community with a higher overall copper tolerance. In winter, these successive events in bacterial populations were observed in the absence of substantial populations of algae or zooplankton. In summer, the metabolic changes in bacterioplankton expose to copper were strongly affected by the poisoning of other organisms, notably algae, and the subsequent release of organic material. Thus, moderate copper concentrations alter the metabolic profile of bacterial communities, probably as an initial step in the selection of tolerant life-forms.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 118680
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 14; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BACTERIA
COPPER
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
METABOLISM
PLANKTON
RHINE RIVER
SENSITIVITY
TOXICITY
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
WATER POLLUTION