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Title: Effects of free Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} ions on growth and metal accumulation in freshwater algae

Abstract

Five species of unicellular green algae were exposed to a broad range of Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} concentrations to examine the relationship between the free Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} ion concentrations and algal growth at metal concentrations relevant for freshwater phytoplankton. The authors estimated extra- and intracellular metal concentrations and characterized the adsorption of copper and zinc on algal surfaces. The optimal growth rate of Scenedesmus subspicatus occurred in a broad range of Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} concentrations (from 10{sup {minus}15} to 10{sup {minus}7} and from 10{sup {minus}12} to 10{sup {minus}55} M, respectively). Chlamydomonas reinhardtii reacted more sensitively toward copper, optimal growth was achieved only at a pCu (= {minus}log[Cu{sup 2+}]) around 11, whereas growth was optimal over about three orders of magnitude of the free Cu{sup 2+} concentration (from 10{sup {minus}13} to 10{sup {minus}10} M). Chlamydomonas cultures isolated from Lake Constance tolerated Cu{sup 2+} concentrations over seven orders of magnitude (pCu = 7 to 14). The growth of algae showed a high tolerance toward high intracellular copper and zinc concentrations. This suggests that the cells may immobilize the metals intracellularly. The affinity of copper for algal surfaces is higher than that of zinc in the experimentalmore » concentration range: adsorption constants log K{sub Cu} (11.06) > log K{sub Zn} (6.49) (pH = 7.9). These freshwater algae tolerate higher Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} concentrations than marine algal species. In comparison to the lake data, the results obtained from the culture algae indicate a possible role for copper as a limiting factor for certain algal species in eutrophic lakes.« less

Authors:
; ;  [1]
  1. Swiss Federal Inst. for Environmental Science and Technology, Duebendorf (Switzerland)
Publication Date:
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
474322
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 16; Journal Issue: 2; Other Information: PBD: Feb 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, APPLIED STUDIES; COPPER; ZINC; WATER POLLUTION; BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS; LAKES; GENETIC VARIABILITY

Citation Formats

Knauer, K, Behra, R, and Sigg, L. Effects of free Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} ions on growth and metal accumulation in freshwater algae. United States: N. p., 1997. Web. doi:10.1897/1551-5028(1997)016<0220:EOFCAZ>2.3.CO;2.
Knauer, K, Behra, R, & Sigg, L. Effects of free Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} ions on growth and metal accumulation in freshwater algae. United States. https://doi.org/10.1897/1551-5028(1997)016<0220:EOFCAZ>2.3.CO;2
Knauer, K, Behra, R, and Sigg, L. 1997. "Effects of free Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} ions on growth and metal accumulation in freshwater algae". United States. https://doi.org/10.1897/1551-5028(1997)016<0220:EOFCAZ>2.3.CO;2.
@article{osti_474322,
title = {Effects of free Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} ions on growth and metal accumulation in freshwater algae},
author = {Knauer, K and Behra, R and Sigg, L},
abstractNote = {Five species of unicellular green algae were exposed to a broad range of Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} concentrations to examine the relationship between the free Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} ion concentrations and algal growth at metal concentrations relevant for freshwater phytoplankton. The authors estimated extra- and intracellular metal concentrations and characterized the adsorption of copper and zinc on algal surfaces. The optimal growth rate of Scenedesmus subspicatus occurred in a broad range of Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} concentrations (from 10{sup {minus}15} to 10{sup {minus}7} and from 10{sup {minus}12} to 10{sup {minus}55} M, respectively). Chlamydomonas reinhardtii reacted more sensitively toward copper, optimal growth was achieved only at a pCu (= {minus}log[Cu{sup 2+}]) around 11, whereas growth was optimal over about three orders of magnitude of the free Cu{sup 2+} concentration (from 10{sup {minus}13} to 10{sup {minus}10} M). Chlamydomonas cultures isolated from Lake Constance tolerated Cu{sup 2+} concentrations over seven orders of magnitude (pCu = 7 to 14). The growth of algae showed a high tolerance toward high intracellular copper and zinc concentrations. This suggests that the cells may immobilize the metals intracellularly. The affinity of copper for algal surfaces is higher than that of zinc in the experimental concentration range: adsorption constants log K{sub Cu} (11.06) > log K{sub Zn} (6.49) (pH = 7.9). These freshwater algae tolerate higher Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+} concentrations than marine algal species. In comparison to the lake data, the results obtained from the culture algae indicate a possible role for copper as a limiting factor for certain algal species in eutrophic lakes.},
doi = {10.1897/1551-5028(1997)016<0220:EOFCAZ>2.3.CO;2},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/474322}, journal = {Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry},
number = 2,
volume = 16,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1997},
month = {Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1997}
}