Faculty Publications

Accelerated Uptake Response Of The Green Alga, Chlorella Vulgaris, To High Levels Of Phosphorus In Mississippi River Water

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Science of the Total Environment, The

Volume

14

Issue

3

First Page

279

Last Page

285

Abstract

This paper concerns a study of the effect of phosphorus on the growth of a common green alga, Chlorella vulgaris var. viridis, in both a laboratory culture medium containing phosphorus and samples of Mississippi River water containing added phosphorus of various levels. The extent of algal growth was measured by two methods: (1) by counting the number of algal cells with an improved Neubauer hemacytometer, and (2) by measuring the absorbance of light, at 650 nm by the algal suspension containing chlorophyll in their cells. It was found that the measurements of algal absorbance (cell volume) yielded results closer to the actual algal growth. It was also found that the rate of algal growth was directly proportional to the phosphorus concentration in the river water. Furthermore, analyses of the uptake of phosphorus confirmed that the rate of phosphorus absorption by the algal cells increased rapidly with increasing level of phosphorus added to the river water. © 1980.

Department

Department of Chemistry

Original Publication Date

1-1-1980

DOI of published version

10.1016/0048-9697(80)90029-7

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