Development of a microalgal PAM test method for Cu(II) in waters: comparison of using spectrofluorometry

• Published in: Ecotoxicology (London) Vol. 19; no. 6; pp. 1059 - 1065
• Main Authors: Peña-Vázquez, E, Pérez-Conde, C, Costas, E, Moreno-Bondi, M. C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Boston : Springer US 01.08.2010; Springer US; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Algae; Analysis; Biosensor; Biosensors; Calibration; Chlorophyta - drug effects; Copper; Copper - analysis; Copper - toxicity; Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Fluorescence; Methods; Microalgae; Monitors; PAM; Pulse amplitude modulation; Readers; Silicates; Sol gel process; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Water - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Water supplies; Water supply; Copper; PAM; Biosensor; Algae
• ISSN: 0963-9292; 1573-3017
• DOI: 10.1007/s10646-010-0487-y

Test methods are needed to monitor Cu concentrations in reservoirs and water supplies. Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides (Chlorophyta) cells were immobilized in a silicate sol-gel and the toxic effects of Cu(II) were examined using different techniques: fluorescence measurements (using a spectrofluorometer with an optic fiber coupled to a flow cell or a 96-well-plate reader) or by Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM) parameters using a portable instrument and the pulse saturation method. Fm′ and qN were the most sensitive indicator parameters when performing Cu analysis in water. D. chlorelloides PAM biosensor presented a detection limit of 0.6 mg l⁻¹ for Cu(II), within the limits to establish if Cu concentrations exceeded regulatory levels. Moreover, a 1.9 mg Cu l⁻¹ (30 μM) resistant strain of the D. chlorelloides microalgae was produced in order to obtain more selectivity on the metal determination.