Trace metal--chelator interactions and phytoplankton growth in seawater media: theoretical analysis and comparison with reported observations

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Limnol. Oceanogr., Suppl.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1978.23.2.0268· OSTI ID:6539728

Jackson, G A; Morgan, J J

Effects of trace metal chelators in seawater are examined theoretically in terms of equilibrium chemical speciation in seawater; of chemical interactions between all metals, naturally occurring ligands, and added organic chelating agents of various binding strengths and total concentrations; and of transfer of trace metals to the phytoplankton cell surface. An equilibrium model involving 18 metals and 8 ligands is applied to find the metal species in natural seawater, chelator-amended seawater, and synthetic seawater media. Three mechanisms for enhanced supply of iron via chelation are examined: transport through the membrane, ligand exchange at the cell surface, and increased supply of iron to the cell surface by dissociation of a chelate. None account for the observed effects of chelator variations on growth rate. Detoxification of toxic metals via chelation shows a strong correlation between growth rate and free Cu/sup 2 +/ computed at equilibrium in solution.

• Research Organization: California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena
• OSTI ID: 6539728
• Journal Information: Limnol. Oceanogr., Suppl.; (United States), Journal Name: Limnol. Oceanogr., Suppl.; (United States) Vol. 23:2; ISSN LIOSA
• 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.
ALGAE
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CELL CULTURES
CHELATING AGENTS
COPPER
CULTURE MEDIA
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IRON
LIGANDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANKTON
PLANTS
SEAWATER
TOXICITY
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER
WATER CHEMISTRY