Content of Pigments in Cladophora glomerata under the Influence of Copper (II) and Manganese (II) Ions in the Aquatic Environment

Abstract

The influence of copper (II) and manganese (II) ions alone and in mixture on the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids was studied on the example of the green filamentous alga Cladophora glomerata. The concentrations of metals were closely similar to those observed in natural waters. It has been found that the combined influence of copper and manganese ions (0.5 mg/L Cu2+ and 5 mg/L Mn2+) resulted in the increase in the content of pigments in C. glomerata. The combined influence of copper and manganese ions (10-20 μg/L Cu2+ and 100-200 μg/L Mn2+) on the pigment system of C. glomerata was less toxic than their individual influence, which is accounted for by antagonism of these metal ions during the process of their accumulation by algae. The capability of C. glomerata to accumulate large amounts of copper and manganese makes it possible to use this alga as the monitor of aquatic environment contamination by metal ions, and also for their purification.