Abstract
The maximum rate of light-induced evolution of oxygen by suspensions of cells of the unicellular marine algae Attheya decora, Brachiomonas submarina, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Isochrysis galbana, Monochrysis lutheri, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Skeletonema costatum was measured. With this bioassay the relative sensitivities of these species of algae towards Cu, Hg, Cd and Zn were compared with that towards the herbicide 3(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea. The algae were uniformly sensitive to low concentrations of DCMU; S. costatum and A. decora were especially sensitive to Cu and Hg In contrast, D. tertiolecta was remarkably insensitive to Hg. These results suggest that A. decora could be used as a sensitive indicator of the quality of estuarine water, and a bioassay system based on this is proposed.
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Communicated by J.H.S. Blaxter, Oban
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Overnell, J. Inhibition of marine algal photosynthesis by heavy metals. Mar. Biol. 38, 335–342 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391373
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391373