Toxicity of pH, heavy metals and bisulfite to a freshwater green alga

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Chemosphere; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0045-6535(83)90177-7· OSTI ID:5272121

Baker, M D ^[1]; Mayfield, C I; Inniss, W E; Wong, P T.S.

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1. Univ. of Waterloo, Ontario

Low pH markedly reduced the growth and photosynthetic activity of an Ankistrodesmus sp. The alga could not grow at pH 3 and only slight growth occurred at pH 4. The alga grew well above pH 4 with maximum growth occurring at pH 6. The fixation of /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ followed a similar pattern with pH. The algal cells were also sensitive to mercury and bisulfite in acidic conditions. Algal growth and photosynthesis were reduced by mercury and bisulfite more at pH 5 but not at pH 7. Lead was relatively non-toxic to the algal cells at both pH levels. Bisulfite inhibited the membrane transport of ..cap alpha..-amino-/sup 14/ C-isobutyric acid at pH 5 but not at pH7. The results suggest that algal growth and activity may be reduced in acidic lakes by low pH and that the toxicity of mercury and bisulfite is enhanced in acidic conditions.

• OSTI ID: 5272121
• Journal Information: Chemosphere; (United States), Journal Name: Chemosphere; (United States) Vol. 12:1; ISSN CHESB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560302* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID RAIN
ALGAE
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE FIXATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LEAD
MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
MERCURY
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PLANTS
RAIN
SULFITES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
TOXICITY