Effect of Cadmium on Cellular Viability in Two Species of Microalgae (Scenedesmus sp. and Dunaliella viridis)

Abstract

We determined the effect of several concentrations of cadmium (0, 5, 10, and 20 microg/l) on cellular viability in the microalgae Scenedesmus sp. and Dunaliella viridis, by measuring growth at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h and pigment production at 10 days. Algae were obtained from the Nonvascular Plant Laboratory collection, in the Facultad Experimental de Ciencias, Universidad del Zulia, Venezuela. Growth was measured by cellular counting, while pigment content was evaluated using conventional spectrophotometric techniques. Growth of both species decreased in the exposed cultures comparing with the control, but its behavior was similar, because in both control and exposed cultures, its was observed an adaptive phase in the first hours, as well as a growth phase after 72 h. Cadmium concentrations above 10 microg/l produced an adverse effect on pigment production, depending on the concentration and/or exhibition time. However, even though cadmium inhibited growth and pigment production, levels of both parameters indicated cellular viability, demonstrating the adaptability of the algae cultures when they were exposed to the metal.

Cadmium elicits alterations in mitochondrial morphology and functionality in C3H10T1/2Cl8 mouse embryonic fibroblasts

“…Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal, normally present in the atmosphere, as a result of gradual erosion and abrasion of rocks and soils [1]. However, since industrialization, it is being massively released into the environment by anthropogenic activities, such as the manufacturing of pigments, stabilizers, alloys, electronic compounds, and especially of rechargeable nickelcadmium batteries [2].…”

The effect of cadmium on the bovinein vitrooocyte maturation and early embryo development

“…Electroplating and manufacture of pigments, plastics, plastic stabilizers and nickel-Cd batteries also produce Cd as a by-product [6]. Moreover, it is also produced by the gradual process of erosion and abrasion of rocks and soils which are caused by events such as forest fires and volcanic eruptions [7], [8].…”

Endocrine pancreas in rats chronically treated with Cadmium

“…Kadmijum i njegova jedinjenja se koriste za zaštitu od korozije, za proizvodnju alkalnih akumulatora, nikl-kadmijumskih baterija,proizvodnju legura bakra i kao pigment ili stabilizator u proizvodnji boja, stakla, keramike i plastike 1,2 . Industrija čelika i spaljivanje otpadaka su najvažniji antropogeni izvori kadmijuma.Prirodni izvor kadmijuma su vulkanske erupcije i šumski požari 3 . Intenzivna upotreba veštačkih đubriva izaziva difuzno zagađenje zemljišta i vode kadmijumom,što je uslovilo da se on nalazi u životinjskom mesu, ribi, povrću i voću, tako da je kontaminirana hrana glavni izvor izloženosti stanovništva kadmijumu 4 .…”