Abstract
The accumulation of cadmium by living and dead cells of the green microalgae Tetraselmis chuii was studied both in cell suspensions and in growing conditions. Microalgal cell suspensions accumulated a maximum of 292.60 (23.09) and 210.54 (16.05) mg Cd (g biomass)-1 when living and dried cells were used, respectively. After biosorption, the total cadmium accumulated was efficiently desorbed with concentrated EDTA solution, indicating that cadmium accumulation took place through surface structural components. During cell growth in cadmium-contaminated medium, the toxic effect of the metal proved to be higher for increasing metal concentrations in the medium. This increasing toxicity had a marked influence upon cell productivity. Cadmium was not incorporated during growth of T. chuii cells.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Brock, T.D., Madigan, M.T., Martinko, J.M. and Parker, J. (1994) Biology of Microorganisms (7th edn). Prentice Hall: New Jersey, pp. 844–845.
Clesceri, L.S., Greenberg, A.E. and Trussel, R.R. (1989) Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (7th edn). American Public Health Association: Washington, DC.
Crist, R.H., Oberholser, K., Shank, N. and Nguyen, M. (1981) Nature of bonding between metallic ions and algal cell walls. Environmental Science and Technology 15, 1212–1217.
Crist, R.H., Oberholser, K., Schwartz, D., Marzoff, J., Ryder, D. and Crist, D.R. (1988) Interaction of metals and protons with algae. Environmental Science and Technology 22, 755–760.
Gesweid, H.J. and Urbach, W. (1983) Sorption of cadmium by the green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, Ankistrodesmus braunii and Eremosphaera viridis. Zentralblatt für Pflanzenphysiologie 109, 127–141.
Griffith, G.W., Kenslow, M.A.M. and Ross, L.A. (1973) A mass culture method for Tetraselmis sp. – a promising food for larval crustaceans. National Marine Fisheries Service, Gulf Coastal Fisheries Center, Contribution 354, 14 pp.
Hahne, H.C.H. and Kroontje, W. (1973) Significance of pH and chloride concentration on behaviour of heavy metal pollutants: mercury (II), cadmium (II), zinc (II), and lead (II). Journal of Environment Quality 2, 444–450.
Harris, P.O. and Ramelow, G.J. (1990) Binding of metal ions by particulate biomass derived from Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus quadricauda. Environmental Science and Technology 24, 220–228.
Percival, E. (1979) The polysaccharides of green, red and brown seaweeds: their basic structure, biosynthesis and function. British Phycological Journal 14, 103–117.
Sakaguchi, T., Horikoshi, T. and Nakajima, A. (1979) Accumulation of cadmium by green microalgae. European Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 8, 207–215.
Thomas, W.H., Hollibaugh, J.T. and Serbert, D.L.R. (1980) Effect of heavy metals on the morphology of some marine phytoplankton. Phycologia 19, 202–209.
Trevors, J.T., Stratton, G.W. and Gadd, G.M. (1986) Cadmium transport, resistance and toxicity in bacteria, algae, and fungi. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 32, 447–464.
Vymazal, J. (1987) Toxicity and accumulation of cadmium with respect to algae and cyanobacteria: a review. Toxicological Assessment: An International Quarterly 2, 387–415.
Wehrhein, B. and Wettern, M. (1994) Biosorption of cadmium, copper and lead by isolated mother cells and whole cells of Chlorella fusca. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 41, 725–728.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
da Costa, A.C.A., de Franca, F.P. The behaviour of the microalgae Tetraselmis chuii in cadmium-contaminated solutions. Aquaculture International 6, 57–66 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009221820135
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009221820135