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Physiology of Carbon Assimilation in a Green Alga During Exposure to and Recovery from Cadmium

Physiology of Carbon Assimilation in a Green Alga During Exposure to and Recovery from Cadmium

Authors :
Thompson, P.A.
Couture, P.
Source :
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety; October 1993, Vol. 26 Issue: 2 p205-215, 11p
Publication Year :
1993

Abstract

The flow of recently photoassimilated carbon into proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides was studied with asynchronous Selenastrum capricornutum populations during exposure to and recovery from 30 and 100 µg Cd-liter<superscript>−1</superscript>. During a 48-hr exposure to Cd. increases in Cd cell quotas were accompanied by nearly exponential decreases in growth and photosynthesis and by a disruption of the pattern of carbon allocation to macromolecules. In particular, relative to the control, the cells exposed to Cd allocated a higher percentage of carbon to the synthesis of polysaccharides. After the addition of EDTA (recovery period), Cd cell quotas decreased and growth recovery was accompanied by the recovery of photosynthesis and by an enhanced flow of carbon to lipids and proteins. The results of the experiment suggest that the measurement of the distribution of recently photoassimilated carbon into macromolecules has potential for monitoring the effects of toxic effluent discharges on primary producers.Copyright 1993, 1999 Academic Press

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
01476513 and 10902414
Volume :
26
Issue :
2
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs753013
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1006/eesa.1993.1050