Removal and assessment of toxicity of Cu and Fe toAnabaena doliolum andChlorella vulgaris using free and immobilized cells

Alginate-immobilized and free cells ofAnabaena doliolum andChlorella vulgaris were compared for their use in the removal and toxicity bioassays of Cu and Fe. A decrease in toxicity with regard to growth and uptake of NO ₃ ^– and NH ₄ ⁺ was noticed following immobilization of both the organisms. In contrast, immobilized cells had higher uptake rates of Cu and Fe suggesting that immobilization offers protection against metal toxicity. Compared with free cells, the immobilized cells showed greater efficiency for metal removal, even over three repeated cycles, though with a gradual decrease in efficiency in the second and third cycles. This reduction in removal efficiency was, however, more pronounced for Fe withA. doliolum and for Cu withC. vulgaris. The ease in harvesting and potential for repeated use makes the immobilized cells good tools for scavenging heavy metals from metal-contaminated environments.     

Growth of Corbicula fluminea (bivalvia) fed artificial and algal diets

Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the growth of Corbicula fluminea Müller (1774) fed mixed diets of the green alga Ankistrodesmus and five artificial foods (nine-grain cereal, rice flour, rye bran, denatured brewer's yeast and Ralston Purina trout chow). Clams lost weight after 30 days on each artificial diet; however, weight losses were significantly less than those of control clams which were not fed (p < 0.05). In contrast, clam growth was positive in each treatment which included Ankistrodesmus. There was no significant difference in the tissue growth of clams fed on an Ankistrodesmus monoculture and Ankistrodesmus supplemented with each artificial diet (p > 0.2). Therefore, we conclude that all of the artificial diets evaluated were of nutritional value. However, the alga Ankistrodesmus appears to be a superior food item. In subsequent experiments, clams were fed on diets consisting of various combinations of six genera of green algae (Pedinomonas, Ankistrodesmus, Chlamydomonas, Chlorella, Scenedesmus, and Selenastrum). All trialgal combinations of Chlamydomonas, Chlorella, Scenedesmus, and Ankistrodesmus and a dialgal culture of Chlamydomonas and Chlorella resulted in strong positive tissue growth. No other dialgal or monoalgal culture resulted in similar growth. Cultures of Selenastrum were found to be toxic, and their filtrate was determined to inhibit Corbicula filtration.     

Zur Taxonomie einer auxotrophen Chlorella aus Paramecium bursaria Ehrbg

Zusammenfassung Auf Grund der physiologischen Merkmale einer in Paramecium bursaria Ehrbg. auftretenden Chlorella ergibt sich eine systematische Zuordnung in den Formenkreis um Chlorella vulgaris f. tertia Fott et Nováková und Chlorella vulgaris var. vulgaris Beijerinck. Hiervon abweichende Befunde anderer Autoren werden diskutiert.

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On the taxonomy of an auxotrophic Chlorella isolated from Paramecium bursaria ehrbg

An auxotrophic Chlorella has been isolated from Paramecium bursaria Ehrbg. and cultivated in mass culture in an inorganic medium supplied with vitamins B₁ and B₁₂. With regard to its physiological properties it is not identical with either one of the so far known Chlorella species. It belongs, however, to the group of Chlorella vulgaris f. tertia Fott et Novaková and Chlorella vulgaris var. vulgaris Beijerinck.

     

Inhibition of Chlorella growth by the lipids of cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

The total lipids of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa have been isolated and fractionated into its components. Of these lipid components, only the fatty acid-containing fraction inhibited the growth of the green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa. The inhibitory activity appears to be due to linoleic and linolenic acids, which are both present in significants quantities. These acids may be the substances responsible for the reported toxicity of Microcystis aeruginosa to Chlorella.     

Comparative studies on photosynthetic enzymes of the symbiotic Chlorella from Paramecium bursaria and other symbiotic and non-symbiotic Chlorella strains

The activities of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and of carbonic anhydrase were studied in cell-free extracts of two symbiotic Chlorella strains isolated from Paramecium bursaria and from Spongilla sp., and of two nonsymbiotic strains of Chlorella (Chlorella fusca and Chlorella vulgaris) cultivated at varied CO₂-concentrations. The symbiotic Chlorella of Paramecium bursaria differs distinctly from the other Chlorella strains by a higher activity of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, which is independent of the actual CO₂-concentration, and by a lack of carbonic anhydrase activity. These properties are discussed with respect to their ecological significance.Abbreviations CA carbonic anhydrase - Pbi Paramecium bursaria isolate - RuBP ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate Dedicated to Prof. Dr. André Pirson on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Sediment toxicity and heavy metals in the Kattegat and Skaggerak

Superficial (0 to 2 cm) sediments were sampled from 62 sites in Kattegat and Skagerrak during autumn 1989 and spring 1990, tested for toxicity to Daphnia magna and Nitocra spinipes (Crustacea) and analyzed for heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, N, Pb, Zn), nutrients (N and P) and organic carbon. Whole sediment toxicity to Nitocra spinipes, expressed as 96-h LC50, ranged from 1.8 to > > 32 percent sediment (wet wt), which is equivalent to 0.63 to 53 percent dry wt. Sediment total metal concentrations (mg kg^-1 dry wt) ranged from 0.01 to 0.32 for Cd, 8 to 57 for Cr, 3 to 40 for Cu, 0.03 to 0.86 for Hg, 3 to 43 for Ni, 6 to 37 for Pb and 21 to 156 for Zn. Analyzed concentrations of heavy metals were tested for correlation with whole sediment toxicity normalized to dry wt, and significant correlations (Spearman p<0.05) were found for Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, and Ni. However, the analyzed concentrations of these metals were below the spiked sediment toxicity of these heavy metals to N. spinipes, except for Cr and Zn for which analyzed maximum concentrations approached the 96-h spiked sediment LC50s. There was no improvement in correlation between the sum of heavy metal concentrations normalized to their spiked toxic concentrations (Toxic Unit approach) and the whole sediment toxicity. Calculated heavy-metal-derived toxicity based on toxic units and whole sediment toxicity ranged from 0.1 to 24 (mean value 2.3 and SD 4.2). Theoretically, a value of 1.0 would explain whole sediment toxicity from measured metal concentrations using this approach. Thus, in spite of the fact that the total concentrations of the heavy metals were sufficient to cause toxicity based on an additive model for most of these sediments, the observed toxicity of the sediments from Kattegat and Skagerrak could not exclusively be explained by the concentrations of heavy metals, except for Cr and Zn at their maximum concentrations. Therefore, other pollutants than these heavy metals must also be considered as possible sediment toxicants.     

Transfer of heavy metals from sediment to fish,and their biliary excretion

Uptake and biliary excretion of metals were studied in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, exposed through spiked sediment to a mixture of seven heavy metals. Metal concentrations and toxicity of bile and blood plasma were used as indicators of exposure. Among the seven metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) only three (Cu, Hg, and Pb) were concentrated in the bile (bile-plasma ratio >1). Bile-plasma ratios in the rainbow trout were similar to those found in rats for Cu and Hg. Daphnia magna bioassays were used to determine toxicity of bile and blood plasma in the same trout. Toxicity of bile and blood plasma increased after treatment with acid. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that toxicity of bile and blood plasma to D. magna in metal-exposed trout was significantly correlated with (1) bile and blood plasma test concentration, (2) acid treatment of bile and blood plasma (hydrolysis of metal-plasma and metal-bile complexes) and (3) sediment concentration of metals during exposure of trout. In order to significantly detect the magnitude of the exposure to a xenobiotic the biomarker must respond in a dose- or time-dependent manner. Therefore, the potential use of bile toxicity as a biomarker of heavy metal exposure in fish is probably limited by the low bioconcentration of many of these toxicants in bile.     

Impact of bimetallic combinations of Cu,Ni and Fe on growth rate,uptake of nitrate and ammonium,14C02 fixation,nitrate reductase and urease activity ofChlorella vulgaris

Summary The toxicity of Cu, Ni and Fe individually, as well as in combination (Cu + Ni, Cu + Fe, Ni + Fe), on growth-rate depression, uptake of NO₃ ^– and NH₄ ⁺, photosynthesis, nitrate reductase and urease activity ofChlorella vulgaris has been studied. All the test metals when used individually showed pronounced toxicity on all the parameters studied. However, their interactive effect was mostly antagonistic except for Cu + Ni (synergism). Pre-addition of Fe offered more protection to the cells against copper and nickel toxicity. The data of statistical analysis reconfirmed that¹⁴C0₂ uptake is the most sensitive parameter (significant atP<0.005, both for time and treatment) than others in metal toxicity assessment. However, these results suggest further that exposure time and sequence of metal addition are very important in biomonitoring of heavy metal toxicity.     

Deoxyribonucleic acid reassociation in the taxonomy of the genus Chlorella

DNA hybridization techniques showed Chlorella fusca var. vacuolata and C. kessleri to be homogeneous species with DNA homologies of 90–100% C. fusca var. fusca and var. rubescens, however, have only about 15% DNA homology with C. fusca var. vacuolata and should no longer be regarded as varieties. A good correlation was found so far between biochemical and physiological characters used in the taxonomy of Chlorella and DNA relatedness. Mutant strains of Chlorella were tested for DNA homologies to prove the reliability of the taxonomical interpretation.     

Response of ectomycorrhizalPinus banksiana andPicea glauca to heavy metals in soil

Pinus banksiana andPicea glauca inoculated or not with the ectomycorrhizal fungusSuillus luteus were grown in a sandy loam soil containing a range of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations. Ectomycorrhizal colonization rates were significantly reduced on Pinus and Picea seedlings by the heavy metals, particularly Cd and Ni. Needle tissue metal concentrations were lower in ectomycorrhizal seedlings at low soil metal concentrations. However, at higher soil concentrations, heavy metal concentrations of needle tissue were similar in ectomycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants. The growth of nonmycorrhizal seedlings exposed to heavy metals was reduced compared to those inoculated withSuillus luteus. Apparently ectomycorrhizal colonization can protect Pinus and Picea seedlings from heavy metal toxicity at low or intermediate soil concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn.     

Physiological and biochemical contributions to the taxonomy of the genera Ankistrodesmus and Scenedesmus

The 17 Ankistrodesmus strains studied do not produce extracellular amylolytic enzymes. 20 out of 28 Scenedesmus strains, however, are able to hydrolyse starch.The groups of strains previously characterized physiologically and biochemically were assigned to established species of the genera Ankistrodesmus (including Monoraphidium) and Scenedesmus.Abbreviation GC Guanine + cytosine     

Identification of toxic metals in affected algal cells in assays of wastewaters

Chlorella fusca was the test species used in assays of two wastewaters, one characterized by a high concentration of free metal ions, and the other by high concentrations of free metal ions and chlorinated organic compounds. Fine structural damage in cells exposed for six days to the effluents was examined using an electron microscope. In the presence of organic toxicity, the affected cells displayed a characteristically large build-up of starch grains. At high metal concentrations, the chloroplasts were the only organelles altered. Within the chloroplast, there were disruptions of the thylakoidal membranes and enlargement of interthylakoidal spaces. Excess metals, detected by X-ray microanalysis in the polyphosphate (poly-P) bodies of cells where chloroplast damage was observed, were regarded as harmful. X-ray scanning of particulate material in effluent samples is proposed as a useful and low cost addition to surveillance programmes.     

Modeling of lutein production by heterotrophic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> in batch and fed-batch cultures

Chlorella is a promising alternative resource of lutein (xanthophyll) production as it can be cultivated heterotrophically in fermentors. In this paper, a kinetic model for lutein production by heterotrophic Chlorella pyrenoidosa was developed based on batch cultivations in 250-ml flasks and a 19-l fermentor. The model was validated by experimental data from two fed-batch cultivations performed in the same fermentor. The dynamic behavior of lutein production by C. pyrenoidosa with various concentrations of glucose and nitrogen was analyzed based on the kinetic model. Model-based analyses suggested that glucose concentrations between 5 and 24 g/l and nitrogen concentrations between 0.7 and 12 g/l during the cultivation were favorable for lutein production by heterotrophic C. pyrenoidosa. It also showed that fed-batch cultivations are more suitable for efficient production of lutein than batch ones. The results obtained in this study may contribute to commercial lutein production by heterotrophic Chlorella.     

Cloning,functional expression and expression studies of the nitrate transporter gene from Chlorella sorokiniana (strain 211-8k)

The nitrate transporter from Chlorella sorokiniana (accession number AY026523) has been cloned by screening a cDNA library based on mRNA isolated after 30 min treatment of Chlorella with 5 mM nitrate and with a RT-PCR product (730 bp) as a probe. The Chlorella sequence has similarity to known nitrate transporters of the NRT2 family (high-affinity nitrate transporters). The cDNA clone was used for functional expression in Xenopus oocytes and a nitrate-dependent current was measured at pH 5.5 but not at pH 7.4. A second algal gene or a second gene product was not needed for functional expression in Xenopus. Inhibitor studies in Chlorella indicated that protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation is involved in nitrate induction of ChNRT2.1. In addition to nitrate, ChNRT2.1 expression is induced by nitroprusside, a NO donor, and is affected by glucose.     

Production and nutritional quality of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis fed marine Chlorella sp. at different cell densities

The effect of different cell densities of marine Chlorella sp. on the growth rate, doubling time and production of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis was investigated. A significant increase in rotifer production was achieved at a density of 50 × 10⁶ Chlorella cells ml^–1. The nutritional quality of rotifers grown at different concentrations of Chlorella is discussed.     

Zinc and copper effects on metal-tolerant and non-tolerant clones ofAgrostis tenuis (Poaceae)

The toxicity of various Cu and Zn concentrations, as well as their mutual influence upon tolerant and non-tolerant clones ofAgrostis tenuis originating from soils of different metal content has been studied. Specific resistance has been clearly established. Co-existence of toxic metals causes an increase in toxicity. Uptake of metals (Cu and Zn) obviously occurs rather independently, and the toxic activity of the one is not affected competitively by the presence of the other. Above normal concentrations of Cu and Zn negatively affect cell division and growth in roots of non-tolerant genotypes. There is less ability to store metals than in tolerant genotypes.     

Phylogenetic position of someChlorella species within the chlorococcales based upon complete small-subunit ribosomal RNA sequences

Summary Complete small-subunit rRNA (16S-like rRNA) coding region sequences were determined for eight species of the Chlorococcales (Chlorophyceae). The genera investigated includePrototheca, Ankistrodesmus, Scenedesmus, and fiveChlorella species. Distance matrix methods were used to infer a phylogenetic tree that describes evolutionary relationships between several plant and green algal groups. The tree exhibits a bifurcation within the Chlorococcales consistent with the division into Oocystaceae and Scenedesmaceae, but three of the fiveChlorella species are more similar to other algae than toChlorella vulgaris. All of the sequences contain primary and secondary structural features that are characteristic of 16S-like rRNAs of chlorophytes and higher plants.Anikstrodesmus stipitatus, however, contains a 394-bp group I intervening sequence in its 16S-like rRNA coding region.     

The role of bivalve molluscs as tools in estuarine sediment toxicity testing: a review

Estuarine sediments frequently are repositories and therefore potential sources of anthropogenic contaminants. Many organic and metallic chemical compounds released into aquatic systems bind to particulates and so accumulate in the sediments, thus, sediments become repositories of contaminants in estuaries. These may also cause contamination through diffusion of porewater, resuspension of particulates and dispersal of benthic fauna. There is a need to assess the biological affects of these anthropogenic contaminants because they may be toxic to infauna and bottomfish. Sediment toxicity bioassays are a means for carrying out such an assessment and primarily provide data on toxicity by measuring the effects on the test organism. Existing sediment toxicity bioassays rely on a battery of aquatic toxicity tests, which are based on the extraction of pore water, and elutriate from sediments and then subjecting these sediment phases to toxicity testing regimes. Two estuarine bivalve molluscs, Scrobicularia plana and Tapes semidecussatus were used to assess the ecotoxicity of field-collected sediments from estuarine and coastal areas around the Irish and English Coast over a 3-year study period. A variety of endpoints were measured during the study including survival in air, behaviour, animal condition, biochemistry, soft tissue metal concentrations, lysosomal membrane integrity and histopathology. Of these endpoints, the most sensitive were survival, survival in air, lysosomal membrane integrity, behaviour and histopathology.     

New and known taxa ofChlorella (Chlorophyceae): Occurrence as lichen phycobionts and observations on living dictyosomes

The algal partner of the lichenPseudocyphellaria carpoloma is a newChlorella species,Chl. sphaerica. It has a saucer- or band-shaped parietal to subparietal chloroplast with a spherical pyrenoid surrounded by a shell of starch. In some of the fully grown cells two dictyosomes lying parallel to each other and changing their position can be observed in the living state. Reproduction occurs by up to 16 autospores. 8 otherPseudocyphellaria species are also lichenized withChlorella phycobionts, apparently belonging toChl. sphaerica. The phycobiont ofWoessia fusarioides belongs toChlorella saccharophila var.ellipsoidea, and to a strain which is morphologically almost identical to one formerly isolated from the lichenTrapelia coarctata. Its ability to gather granules of india ink on the surface of young cells is one of the remarkable characters differentiating it from the latter. In the lichen thallus its cells are regularly penetrated by fungal haustoria.