Physiological Response of the Green Algae Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) to Heavy Metals Stress
2015
Basel Saleh
To monitor physiological changes induced by heavy metals contamination on the marine algae Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta), laboratory experiments were performed. Physiological effects of four heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd ions) on U. lactuca were assessed 5 days after exposure under laboratory conditions. Fourier transform raman spectroscopy (FT-Raman) technique was also applied as support for physiological study. Our data showed that the specific growth rate (SGR%), chlorophyll (Chl a & b), total chlorophyll and carotenoids (Car) pigments decreased significantly in algal thalli under heavy metals stress. This phenomenon was more pronounced with Pb treatment compared to the other tested metals. In addition, morphological changes due to heavy metals treatment were recorded by observed cellular damages under the above mentioned metals. FT-Raman technique showed that the C-H, C=O, CH2 and C-O-C groups were mainly involved in heavy metals absorption. Moreover, Pb ions showed the highest toxicity against U. lactuca studied by showing the highest decline in the above mentioned physiological parameters.
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