Journal of Environmental Biology

Effects of copper (I) oxide on growth and biochemical compositions of two marine microalgae

 

Chi Young Lim, Yong Hoon Yoo, M. Sidharthan, Chae Woo Ma, In Chul Bang, Jong Man Kim, ?Kwang Soo Lee, Nam Sik Park and H.W. Shin

 

Department of Marine Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University,

Asan City 336 745, South Korea

 

(Received: 4 May, 2005 ; Accepted: 30 December, 2005)

 

 

Abstract: In copper based antifouling (AF) paints Cu (I) oxide was largely used as booster biocide. In this study effect of Cu (I) oxide on two marine microalgae, Tetraselmis suecica and Dunaliella tertiolecta was demonstrated. EC₅₀ (96 hr) concentrations estimated for T. suecica and D. tertiolecta were 1.3 mg l^-1 and 1.34 mg l^-1, respectively. Copper (I) oxide induced changes in growth, chlorophyll, carbohydrate and protein contents were observed in T. suecica and D. tertiolecta. At low concentration of 0.0625 mg l^-1, 3-26% and 1-16% growth stimulation was observed in T. suecica and T. tertiolecta respectively. Increasing Cu (I) oxide concentrations proportionately decreased the carbohydrate and protein contents. This study clearly indicates the toxicity of excessive Cu (I) oxide on growth and biochemical compositions of T. suecica and D. tertiolecta.???

 

Key words: Copper (I) oxide, Macroalgae, Growth performance, Biochemicals, Antifouling paints.

Copyright ? 2006 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).