Culture studies on arsenic (As III, As V, MMAA) interaction with three freshwater algae (Microcystis aeruginosa, Actinastrum hantzschii and Asterionella formosa)

Thesis/Dissertation · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5869657

Sorsa, K K

Algal As metabolism was studied by laboratory incubation experiments for elucidating environmental character of various As forms (arsenate (Na/sub 2/HAsO/sub 4/), arsenite (NaAsO/sub 2/), and monomethylarsonic acid (CH/sub 3/AsO/sub 3/H/sub 2/, and monomethylarsonic acid (CH/sub 3/AsO/sub 3/H/sub 2/ = MMAA)). Unialgal batch cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanophyta), Actinastrum hantzschii (Chlorophyta), and Asterionella formosas (Bacillariophyta) were employed for the work. This work provides insight into algal role in mediating the geochemical behavior of this widespread element and into mechanisms and factors controlling As partitioning with phytoplankton. The bioavailability and differential uptake patterns of chemical As forms were established. As uptake varied with its form and concentration as well as algal species. Differential sensitivity of As species uptake to light-dark conditions and metabolic inhibitors indicated different transport mechanisms for the three arsenicals. The impact of sublethal As levels on algal biochemical and physiological functions: growth, photosynthesis, ATP and pigment contents, were monitored. Biological effects of arsenicals seemed to depend on As level, chemical form and P concentration. A great deal of variability was observed among different algae in their sensitivity and responses to As exposure. The diatom, A. formosa displayed the most sensitive and the blue-green and green algae, M. aeruginosa and A. hantzschii the most tolerant responses. High P levels mitigated algal reactions. As induced changes in algal metabolism ranged from inhibition of growth, photosynthesis and ATP formation to their enhancement. Arsenicals stimulated algal chlorophyll accumulation.

• OSTI ID: 5869657
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALGAE
SENSITIVITY
ARSENIC
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
METABOLISM
UPTAKE
ATP
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
BIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY
CHLOROPHYLL
DAILY VARIATIONS
GROWTH
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
SPECIES DIVERSITY
VISIBLE RADIATION
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
NUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHYTOCHROMES
PIGMENTS
PLANTS
PORPHYRINS
RADIATIONS
SEMIMETALS
SYNTHESIS
VARIATIONS
560302* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Microorganisms- (-1987)