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Toxicity of zinc, copper and lead to Chlorophyta from flowing waters

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Summary

A survey was carried out of the toxicity of zinc, copper and lead to Chlorophyta from flowing waters. 20 populations each of Stigeoclonium tenue and Cladophora glomerata were tested to see whether any variation in metal resistance could be found in natural populations. The only such indication found was of a slight increase in resistance to zinc of one Stigeoclonium population from a metal-polluted stream. 35 other algal populations, representing about 25 species, were also tested. Comparison of all these populations showed that in the test medium used Cladophora glomerata was the most or almost the most sensitive to all three metals. The Ulotrichales and most of the Zygnemales were relatively resistant to zinc, while all the Oedogonium spp. taken from the field were sensitive to zinc. However, an Oedogonium population highly resistant to zinc was obtained from a zinc enriched laboratory tank.

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  1. Department of Botany, University of Durham, Durham City, England

    B. A. Whitton

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  1. B. A. Whitton
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Whitton, B.A. Toxicity of zinc, copper and lead to Chlorophyta from flowing waters. Archiv. Mikrobiol. 72, 353–360 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409034

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409034

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