Copper sensitivity of Oregon coastal phytoplankton

Thesis/Dissertation · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5951634

Riedel, G F

The copper sensitivity of natural populations of Oregon coastal phytoplankton was studied using both additions of ionic copper and Cu-TRIS free ion activity buffers in coastal seawater. Phytoplankton growth rate, taxonomic composition and copper content were examined in treatment additions. The growth rate results suggested that the deficiency of another trace metal increased the apparent toxicity of copper to phytoplankton, especially in TRIS-free ion activity buffered seawater. Laboratory experiments with isolated coastal phytoplankton species indicated that manganese deficiency exacerbated copper toxicity, and that manganese deficiency was induced in TRIS buffered seawater by a TRIS-catalyzed oxidation of Mn. When manganese additions to natural populations were employed inconjunction with ionic copper additions and TRIS-free ion regulated seawater, they showed that ambient manganese concentrations were low enough to shift the onset of copper toxicity to lower copper concentrations. The results suggest that while acute toxicity to phytoplankton by ambient concentrations of copper is unlikely, the interactions of copper and other metals, especially manganese, may influence natural coastal phytoplankton populations in more subtle ways, such as taxonomic composition.

• OSTI ID: 5951634
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COASTAL WATERS
COPPER
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION X
GROWTH
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
OREGON
PHYTOPLANKTON
PLANKTON
PLANT GROWTH
POPULATION DYNAMICS
SURFACE WATERS
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA