Effects of Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) on growth and physiological characteristics of green algae, Cladophora

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 22; no. 21; pp. 16535 - 16541
• Main Authors: Cao, De-ju, Xie, Pan-pan, Deng, Juan-wei, Zhang, Hui-min, Ma, Ru-xiao, Liu, Cheng, Liu, Ren-jing, Liang, Yue-gan, Li, Hao, Shi, Xiao-dong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.11.2015
• Subjects: Calcium Signaling - drug effects; Chlorophyta - drug effects; Chlorophyta - growth & development; Chlorophyta - metabolism; Copper - toxicity; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Malondialdehyde - metabolism; Photosynthesis - drug effects; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Zinc - toxicity; Correlation; Cu2+ and Zn2; Physiological properties; Ca2; Cladophora
• ISSN: 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4847-2

Effects of various concentrations of Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) (0.0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/L) on the growth, malondialdehyde (MDA), the intracellular calcium, and physiological characteristics of green algae, Cladophora, were investigated. Low Zn(2+) concentrations accelerated the growth of Cladophora, whereas Zn(2+) concentration increases to 0.25 mg/L inhibited its growth. Cu(2+) greatly influences Cladophora growth. The photosynthesis of Cladophora decreased under Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) stress. Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) treatment affected the content of total soluble sugar in Cladophora and has small increases in its protein content. Zn(2+) induced the intracellular calcium release, and copper induced the intracellular calcium increases in Cladophora. Exposure to Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) induces MDA in Cladophora. The stress concent of Cu(2+) was strictly correlated with the total soluble sugar content, Chla+Chlb, and MDA in Cladophora, and the stress concent of Zn(2+) was strictly correlated with the relative growth rate (RGR) and MDA of Cladophora.