Difference between revisions of "Pollution and algae"

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Algae are known to accumulate both [[heavy metals]] and [[organochlorine compounds]]. <ref>Elliot, M.; Hemingway, K. (2002). Fishes in estuaries. Blackwell Science: London, UK. 636 pp.</ref> Heavy metals can depress algal growth when they are present above a certain threshold level. They can also destabilize their cell membrane, which inhibits cell division or causes the algae to change shape.  <ref>Md. Shahidul Islam and Masaru Tanaka, 2004, Impacts of pollution on coastal and marine ecosystems including coastal and marine fisheries and approach for management: a review and synthesis, Marine Pollution Bulletin Volume 48, 7-8 Pages 624-649.</ref>
 
Algae are known to accumulate both [[heavy metals]] and [[organochlorine compounds]]. <ref>Elliot, M.; Hemingway, K. (2002). Fishes in estuaries. Blackwell Science: London, UK. 636 pp.</ref> Heavy metals can depress algal growth when they are present above a certain threshold level. They can also destabilize their cell membrane, which inhibits cell division or causes the algae to change shape.  <ref>Md. Shahidul Islam and Masaru Tanaka, 2004, Impacts of pollution on coastal and marine ecosystems including coastal and marine fisheries and approach for management: a review and synthesis, Marine Pollution Bulletin Volume 48, 7-8 Pages 624-649.</ref>
  
Organochlorine compounds can also inhibit photosynthesis and algae cell growth. However, there seems to be a wide range in the tolerance of algae towards these compounds. Some species are affected at lower concentrations than other algae species. Therefore the compounds might be a threat to the algae biodiversity and seasonal cycles of algae. <ref>https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/1811/5666/1/V72N01_006.pdf</ref>
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Organochlorine compounds can also inhibit photosynthesis and algae cell growth. However, there seems to be a wide range in the tolerance of algae towards these compounds. Some species are affected at lower concentrations than other algae species. Therefore these compounds might influence the algae community structure, and thus threaten the biodiversity and the seasonal cycles of algae. <ref>https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/1811/5666/1/V72N01_006.pdf</ref>
  
  

Revision as of 13:56, 22 July 2009

Champia parvula © Ignacio Bárbara

Algae are known to accumulate both heavy metals and organochlorine compounds. [1] Heavy metals can depress algal growth when they are present above a certain threshold level. They can also destabilize their cell membrane, which inhibits cell division or causes the algae to change shape. [2]

Organochlorine compounds can also inhibit photosynthesis and algae cell growth. However, there seems to be a wide range in the tolerance of algae towards these compounds. Some species are affected at lower concentrations than other algae species. Therefore these compounds might influence the algae community structure, and thus threaten the biodiversity and the seasonal cycles of algae. [3]


Case studies

Case study 1:PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in Antarctic algae[4]



References

  1. Elliot, M.; Hemingway, K. (2002). Fishes in estuaries. Blackwell Science: London, UK. 636 pp.
  2. Md. Shahidul Islam and Masaru Tanaka, 2004, Impacts of pollution on coastal and marine ecosystems including coastal and marine fisheries and approach for management: a review and synthesis, Marine Pollution Bulletin Volume 48, 7-8 Pages 624-649.
  3. https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/1811/5666/1/V72N01_006.pdf
  4. Joiris, C.R.; Overloop, W. (1991). PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in phytoplankton and zooplankton in the Indian sector of the Southern ocean. Antarctic Science 3: 371-377