Toxicity effects of some heavy metals on the growth of alga Scenedesmus dimorphus

Abstract

The toxicity effect of some heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Copper, and Zinc) on the growth of alga Scenedesmus dimorphus which belongs to the Division of Chlorophyta was studied and depended on the total cell number . The growth rate and doubling time were also calculated accordingly in present of absent of the the heavy metals . There were differences in toxic effects of the metals (p<0.05) . The growth was decreased gradually with alga when exposured to Lead at 15,20 and 25 mg/l in comparison with the control , mean while 30 mg/l caused an acute decrease in growth . Treating the alga with 0.05,0.1,0.5 mg/l concentration of Cadmium the number of cells decreased while at 1 mg/l the effect was more pronounced . As for Copper the concentrations 0.5,1,1.5,2 mg/l and the concentration 2 mg/l had the greatest effect in deceasing growth. Results also showed that the concentration 3 mg/l of Zinc had the greatest effect in decreasing the growth in comparison with the other concentration 0.7, 1, 2 mg/l.