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Mechanism of toxicity of ionic copper and copper complexes to algae

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Abstract

The mechanism of toxicity of ionic copper and copper complexes to growth, photosynthesis, respiration, ATP levels and mitochondrial electron-transport chain-activity in two marine diatoms, Nitzschia closterium (Ehrenberg) W. Smith (Hasle, 1964) and Asterionella glacialis Castracane, and one freshwater green alga, Chlorella pyrenoidosa Chick was investigated. Copper ions depressed both cell division and photosynthesis in A. glacialis and C. pyrenoidosa, whereas ionic copper concentrations which were inhibitory to cell division in N. closterium had no effect on photosynthesis, respiration, ATP production, electron transport or membrane ultrastructure. This suggests that in N. closterium, copper does not act on the chloroplast, the mitochondrion, or the cell membrane, since if it did, the above parameters should be affected. Copper-ethylxanthogenate was exceptional amongst the copper complexes in that it stimulated respiration, mitochondrial electrontransport and ATP formation in N. closterium under conditions of strongly inhibited cell division and slightly stimulated photosynthesis. Ionic copper toxicity may result from an intracellular reaction between copper and reduced glutathione (GSH), leading to a lowering of the GSH:GSSG ratio and suppression of mitosis. In addition, copper inhibits the enzyme catalase and reduces cell defence mechanisms against H2O2 and oxygen-free radicals. Lipid-soluble copper complexes are more toxic than ionic copper because both the metal and the ligand are introduced into the cell. Toxicity of ionic copper is ameliorated by trivalent metal ions in the growth medium, including those of Mn, Co, Al, Fe and Cr which form a layer of metal (III) hydroxide around the algal cell, adsorb copper and reduce its penetration into the cell. The degree of insolubility of the metal (III) hydroxide is related to its ability to protect against copper toxicity. In addition, manganese and cobalt catalytically scavenge damaging H2O2 and superoxide radicals, respectively, produced by the cell.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Energy Chemistry, Lucas Heights Research Laboratories, CSIRO, Private Mail Bag 7, 2232, Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia

    J. L. Stauber & T. M. Florence

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  1. J. L. Stauber
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  2. T. M. Florence
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Communicated by G.F. Humphrey, Sydney

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Stauber, J.L., Florence, T.M. Mechanism of toxicity of ionic copper and copper complexes to algae. Mar. Biol. 94, 511–519 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431397

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