THE EFFECT OF COPPER AT VARIOUS SALINITIES ON DUNALIELLA VIRIDIS, D. TERTIOLECTA, AND THREE DEMES OF D. SALINA
Abstract
Dunaliella, a euryhaline, unicellular, green algae, was stressed with lethal and sublethal concentrations of copper. Dunaliella viridis, D. tertiolecta, and three demes of D. salinea were used in the study. Copper concentrations ranged from 0-1000 ppm. The lethal dose was determined to be 100 ppm. The organisms were grown in solutions ranging from hypotonic to hypertonic, 2.0, 2.5, 3.2, 4.0 and 6.0%S. A salinity of 3.2% which is isotonic to seawater was optimal. The interaction of salinity and copper concentration was studied. The effect of these regimens on population density, and on glycerol, carotenoid and chlorophyll concentrations was determined. The concentrations per cell and total yield were analyzed. Computer analysis was performed to determine the most productive organism for glycerol, carotenoids and chlorophyll yield respectively, and the optimal conditions in terms of salinity and copper concentration. While copper was found to decrease cell density, it increased glycerol, carotenoids and chlorophyll content per cell. Computer analysis of the glycerol data showed that both salinity and copper concentration are significant in determining glycerol yield, but do not interact. The results for carotenoids and chlorophyll demonstrate that copper increases yield significantly. Higher yields of carotenoids and chlorophyll would be produced if higher salinities were to be employed. In the two latter cases, there is interaction between copper and salinity. Optimal species was shown to vary with the product being analyzed.
Subject Area
Plant sciences
Recommended Citation
LUSTIGMAN, BONNIE K, "THE EFFECT OF COPPER AT VARIOUS SALINITIES ON DUNALIELLA VIRIDIS, D. TERTIOLECTA, AND THREE DEMES OF D. SALINA" (1984). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI8506345.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI8506345
