Abstract |
We studied the effect of the chemical interaction of nutrients and the ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on metals toxicity. Growth inhibition tests of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata by nutrient metals copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), and the non-nutrient metal lead (Pb), were performed. The high-enriched Bold's Basal medium (BBm) and two low-enriched standard media, recommended by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECDm) and Environmental Protection Agency-algal assay procedure medium (AAPm), were used in this study. The metals toxicity was affected by the interaction of nutrients and EDTA. Cu+2 was more toxic in the OECDm (EC50 20.3 μg/L), while Pb+2 (EC50 23.1 μg/L) and Zn+2 (EC50 99.4 μg/L) in the AAPm. Non-toxic effect of these metals was observed in BBm, but the exclusion of EDTA shifted it into a toxic medium. Finally, we found that the toxicity of the studied nutrient metals is mainly influenced by EDTA, which reduced the concentration of ionized metals, while the toxicity of the non-nutrient metal is affected by EDTA and phosphates.
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