Physiological Response of Diatom Nitzschia palea (Kutz) W. Sm. to Sub-Lethal Levels of Copper

Abstract

Effect of Cu at sub-lethal levels (0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.05 ppm) on Nitzschia palea in exponential growth phase was studied pH of the culture, biomass, pigments, photosynthetic production and nutrient uptake were considered along with the photosynthetic end products, carbohydrates, protein and lipid. At the tested levels of Cu, growth rates and the ratio of carbohydrate protein and lipid were altered. The effect was total and significant (P 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001) but varied with concentration of Cu and parameters studied pH was a better indicator of carbon uptake (P 0.001).