Toxicity assessment of heavy metals with Nostoc muscorum L
Chaudhary, M.P.; Chandra, R.
Journal of Environmental Biology 26(1): 129-134
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0254-8704 PMID: 16114473 Document Number: 323
Heavy metals (Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu) in the aquatic ecosystem were tested for their toxicity against Nostoc muscorum, a common fresh water phytoplankton, with respect to chlorophyll, protein, and total carbohydrate and starch contents along with growth. Mn showed stimulatory effect up to 1.5 ppm for all the observed parameters. However, Ni, Zn and Cu (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 ppm) showed adverse effects even at 0.1 ppm. Chlorophyll was the most sensitive parameter followed by carbohydrate, protein and starch. Ni was the most toxic to N. muscorum followed by Cu and Zn. The IC50 for Ni was 0.1 ppm for growth, chlorophyll and protein, while total carbohydrate and starch showed IC50 at 0.3 and 0.4 ppm, respectively. The IC50 for Cu was recorded at 0.2 ppm for all the parameters. Zn showed IC50 at 0.3 ppm for growth, chlorophyll, protein and starch at 0.4 ppm for carbohydrate. This study can be applied as bioassay using cyanobacteria for toxicity assessment of various industrial wastes in aquatic ecosystem.
Document emailed within 1 workday
