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 04:00:00 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
• 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.
ALGAE
ARSENIC
ATP
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLOROPHYLL
DAILY VARIATIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
NUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PHYTOCHROMES
PIGMENTS
PLANTS
PORPHYRINS
RADIATIONS
SEMIMETALS
SENSITIVITY
SPECIES DIVERSITY
SYNTHESIS
UPTAKE
VARIATIONS
VISIBLE RADIATION