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Title: Interactions between arsenic species and marine algae

Abstract

The arsenic concentration and speciation of marine algae varies widely, from 0.4 to 23 ng.mg/sup -1/, with significant differences in both total arsenic content and arsenic speciation occurring between algal classes. The Phaeophyceae contain more arsenic than other algal classes, and a greater proportion of the arsenic is organic. The concentration of inorganic arsenic is fairly constant in macro-algae, and may indicate a maximum level, with the excess being reduced and methylated. Phytoplankton take up As(V) readily, and incorporate a small percentage of it into the cell. The majority of the As(V) is reduced, methylated, and released to the surrounding media. The arsenic speciation in phytoplankton and Valonia also changes when As(V) is added to cultures. Arsenate and phosphate compete for uptake by algal cells. Arsenate inhibits primary production at concentrations as low as 5 ..mu..g.1/sup -1/ when the phosphate concentration is low. The inhibition is competitive. A phosphate enrichment of > 0.3 ..mu..M alleviates this inhibition; however, the As(V) stress causes an increase in the cell's phosphorus requirement. Arsenite is also toxic to phytoplankton at similar concentrations. Methylated arsenic species did not affect cell productivity, even at concentrations of 25 ..mu..g.1/sup -1/. Thus, the methylation of As(V) by themore » cell produces a stable, non-reactive compound which is nontoxic. The uptake and subsequent reduction and methylation of As(V) is a significant factor in determining the arsenic biogeochemistry of productive systems, and also the effect that the arsenic may have on algal productivity. Therefore, the role of marine algae in determining the arsenic speciation of marine systems cannot be ignored. (ERB)« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
North Carolina Univ., Chapel Hill (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
5875271
Report Number(s):
SRO-0890-T1
DOE Contract Number:  
EY-76-S-09-0890
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; ALGAE; PRODUCTIVITY; ARSENIC; BIOGEOCHEMISTRY; METABOLISM; TOXICITY; PHYTOPLANKTON; WATER POLLUTION; AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS; BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; ISOLATED VALUES; METHYLATION; REDUCTION; SEAWATER; AQUATIC ORGANISMS; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; CHEMISTRY; DATA; DATA FORMS; ECOSYSTEMS; ELEMENTS; GEOCHEMISTRY; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; INFORMATION; NUMERICAL DATA; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PLANKTON; PLANTS; POLLUTION; SEMIMETALS; WATER; 560302* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Microorganisms- (-1987); 520200 - Environment, Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989); 550700 - Microbiology; 550200 - Biochemistry

Citation Formats

Sanders, J. G. Interactions between arsenic species and marine algae. United States: N. p., 1978. Web. doi:10.2172/5875271.
Sanders, J. G. Interactions between arsenic species and marine algae. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5875271
Sanders, J. G. 1978. "Interactions between arsenic species and marine algae". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5875271. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5875271.
@article{osti_5875271,
title = {Interactions between arsenic species and marine algae},
author = {Sanders, J. G.},
abstractNote = {The arsenic concentration and speciation of marine algae varies widely, from 0.4 to 23 ng.mg/sup -1/, with significant differences in both total arsenic content and arsenic speciation occurring between algal classes. The Phaeophyceae contain more arsenic than other algal classes, and a greater proportion of the arsenic is organic. The concentration of inorganic arsenic is fairly constant in macro-algae, and may indicate a maximum level, with the excess being reduced and methylated. Phytoplankton take up As(V) readily, and incorporate a small percentage of it into the cell. The majority of the As(V) is reduced, methylated, and released to the surrounding media. The arsenic speciation in phytoplankton and Valonia also changes when As(V) is added to cultures. Arsenate and phosphate compete for uptake by algal cells. Arsenate inhibits primary production at concentrations as low as 5 ..mu..g.1/sup -1/ when the phosphate concentration is low. The inhibition is competitive. A phosphate enrichment of > 0.3 ..mu..M alleviates this inhibition; however, the As(V) stress causes an increase in the cell's phosphorus requirement. Arsenite is also toxic to phytoplankton at similar concentrations. Methylated arsenic species did not affect cell productivity, even at concentrations of 25 ..mu..g.1/sup -1/. Thus, the methylation of As(V) by the cell produces a stable, non-reactive compound which is nontoxic. The uptake and subsequent reduction and methylation of As(V) is a significant factor in determining the arsenic biogeochemistry of productive systems, and also the effect that the arsenic may have on algal productivity. Therefore, the role of marine algae in determining the arsenic speciation of marine systems cannot be ignored. (ERB)},
doi = {10.2172/5875271},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5875271}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978}
}