Metal uptake by different species of phytoplankton in culture

Cadmium and copper uptake by cultures of Prasinocladus marinus, Amphidinium carterae, Chaetoceros curvisetum and Chaetoceros protuberans was considered as a function of exposure time (from 0.5 to 72 h) and of metal concentrations added to the culture medium (from 5 to 20 µg l^–1). For cadmium uptake, A. carterae exhibited a particular behaviour: the accumulation was not dependent on exposure time or on metal concentration. An adsorption process appeared to govern both Cadmium uptake by phytoplankton species (except A. carterae) and that of copper. In addition to adsorption, another active process might be involved in the Cadmium uptake of P. marinus, C. curvisetum and C. protuberans.