Heavy metals and marine phytoplankton: correlation of toxicity and sulfhydryl-binding

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · J. Phycol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-3646.1981.00108.x· OSTI ID:6448570

Fisher, N S; Jones, G J

In a study of sublethal effects of metals on growth of the marine diatom Asterionella japonica Cleve, the relative toxicities of Hg, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Mn are shown to be correlated (r = 0.961) with the solubility products of the corresponding metal sulfides. The results, together with findings elsewhere, suggest a common action for these heavy metals, with toxicity deriving from metal binding to sulfhydryl-containing compounds in the cell.

• Research Organization: Ministry for Conservation, Victoria, Australia
• OSTI ID: 6448570
• Journal Information: J. Phycol.; (United States), Vol. 17:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CADMIUM
TOXICITY
COPPER
LEAD
MANGANESE
MERCURY
PHYTOPLANKTON
POPULATION DENSITY
THIOLS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
ZINC
DIATOMS
PLANT GROWTH
ALGAE
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PLANKTON
PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
560302* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Microorganisms- (-1987)
520200 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)