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In this paper, we used flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine the contents of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in 7 species of algae. The results showed that there were relatively rich Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in the algae. The useful data were provided for algae as resource to be utilized.
The carotenoid biosynthesis of the green alga Ankistrodesmus braunii is blocked if these cells are cultured in presence of sublethal doses of pyridazinone herbicides (San 9789, San 6706, BASF 44521) or of the herbicide difunone (EMD-IT 5914). The amount of colored carotenoids normally found in these algae is reduced drastically and the precursors phytoene and phytofluene are accumulated. Furthermore a decrease in the chlorophyll level occurs in the treated cells, but there is a stronger loss of chlorophyll a, resulting in a lowering of the chlorophyll a/b ratio with time. Concerning the activity of substituted pyridazinones leading to inhibition of carotenoid biosynthesis this effect can be related to the chemical structure of these compounds: a trifluormethyl substitution of the phenyl ring and a mono- or dimethyl substitution of the amine (San 9789, San 6706) or a methoxy group instead of the substituted amine (BASF 44521) are required both for this effect. Other pyridazinone derivatives with either a trifluoromethyl substitition of the phenyl ring (San 9774) or a dimethyl subsittution of the amine (San 9785) or a methoxy group (BASF 13761) are without any effect on the pigment pattern of these algae.
Toxic antifouling chemicals released into the seawaters leads to marine environmental degradation. In order to identify a nontoxic antifoulant, an assessment of antifouling (AF) efficacy of some AF candidates was made at Ayagin harbor, east coast of South Korea. In this static panel study conducted during October 2000-March 2001, some commercial antifoulants, seaweed and seagrass extracts were screened. On panel surfaces coated with a seaweed extract, Ishige okamurae exhibited effective AF activity. Ulva pertusa was encountered as a 'monospecific' fouler with fairly high fouling coverage on many of the test panel surfaces. In recent years the increased influx of inorganic pollutants in the coastal waters causes exorbitant growth of fouling marine algae found all along the Korean peninsula. Especially, a cosmopolitan ship fouling alga U. pertusa occur with high abundance. It was largely suggested that the proposed international ban on the toxic antifoulant tributyltin (TBT) had significant effect on the 'green tide' phenomenon occurring in different parts of the world. However, it appears that Korean scenario of 'green tide' is a localized. Antifouling efficacy of some AF coatings and fouling coverage of a green tide alga, U. pertusa are discussed.
GAC-sand dual media deep bed dissolved air flotation/filtration (GSDDB-DAFF) is a new integrated process, its characteristics include: integration of dissolved air flotation and filtration, GAC-sand dual media deep bed filtration, integration of general treatment and advanced treatment. When algae-laden raw water was treated with the new process. The result showed that removal percentage of algae was 95.1%, outlet algae-count was 4.30 x 10(5) cell/L. Removal percentage of chlorophyll-a was 92.2%, outlet chlorophyll-a was 0.88 microg/L. Outlet turbidity was 0.18 NTU, removal percentage of UV254 was 54.3%, outlet UV254 was 0.016 cm(-1), Removal percentage of OC was 63.6%, outlet OC was 0.78 mg/L; outlet had no odor; removal percentage of color was 86.4%, outlet color was 3; outlet Al-residual was 0.011 mg/L which accorded with the quality standard of drinking water. Run time of filter was 36 h, UFRV (Unit Filter Run Volume) was 504 m3/m2.
The quality of eutrophic waters was improved by the algae-bacterium biofilm, which covered over the artificial aquatic mat made from a kind of mend macromolecule material. Two series of experiments show that using the artificial aquatic mat technique, algae bloom was inhibited markedly. At the eleventh day, the transparency was increased from 6 cm to 62 cm; and the concentrations of COD(Mn), TP, TN and NH4(+) -N were decreased to 92.89%, 49.25% , 94.97% and 70.15% respectively. The DO concentration also kept in certain satisfied level for using the algae-bacterium biofilm method. The suitable and economical density was about 8 - 16 bunchs/m(2) when the ratio of the artificial aquatic mat length to water depth was 0.7.
A lysing-bacterium DC10, isolated from Dianchi Lake of Yunnan Province, was characterized to be Pseudomonas sp. It was able to lyse some algae well, such as Microcystis viridis, Selenastrum capricornutum, and so on. In this study, it was shown that the bacterium lysed the algae by releasing a substance; the best lytic effects were achieved at low temperatures and in the dark. Different concentrations of CaCl2 and NaNO3 influenced the lytic effects; the ability to lyse algae decreased in the following order: pH 4 > pH 9 > pH 7 > pH 5.5. It was significant to develop a special technology with this kind of bacterium for controlling the bloom-forming planktonic microalgae.
Both lead and cadmium are toxic trace metals, even in very weak concentrations. The aim of this study was to estimate lead and cadmium pollution in various sites of the Tunisian coast and to verify the possibility of modification of the algae bioconcentration power according to water physico-chemical conditions. Our study concerned 99 samples of algae and 99 samples of seawater, taken in different sites of the Tunisian littoral. The analysis was realized by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (oven graphite). In algae, Sfax site presented the highest concentrations of lead when Sousse site showed the lowest ones. In seawater, the most amounts of lead were observed in Bizerte, Mahdia and Sfax sites, and those of cadmium in Bizerte and Medenine coasts. Bizerte's coast seems to be the most exposed zone to pollution. Indeed, the intensification of sea traffic may take place on this pollution because hydrocarbons derived from petroleum contain some tetraethylic lead characterised by its great toxicity. Sousse's region is the least polluted zone; it might be due to the development of tourism and a strict regulation of pollution in this district.
Absorption rate coefficient of algae omega(i) to nutrients such as N and P could be used for describing algal increases/decreases velocity in water areas in theory. omega(i) raise might correspond to algal quickly growth and to ccelerate absorption of N and P while omega(i) decrease might correspond to algal decompose and release of N and P. According to locale measuring data along the Three-Gorges valley and algal dynamics model of nutritious absorption we have obtained some interest 3-dimension figures in which omega(i) will varies up and down obviously with N and P concentration in special bound to show a synergistic effects of N and P that might reveal an inner behavior of algal bloom/decompose. The research results explain in reason: (1) algal blooms do will happen in one special P/N range in a certain water system; (2) when omega(1) and omega(2) ascend rapidly and simultaneously in positive direction at same time algae would bloom, and when omega(1) and omega(2) descend sharply and simultaneously in negative direction at same time algae would decompose; (3) The velocity of algal bloom is not only same approximately as one of algal decompose, but also its variety has evidently periodic fluctuation. All of these could reveal effectively mechanism of nutritious absorption/release as algal bloom/decompose.
The concentration, amino acid composition and biological value of proteins of unicellular algae belonging to various taxonomic groups (Chlorella, Chlamydomonas, Spirulina, Euglena) were investigated. With respect to their characteristics, these algae hold promise as components of biological life-support systems (BLSS). Indices characterizing the protein and biomass quality and biological value were calculated. Such indices as A/E (where A is an essential amino acid and E is the sum total of amino acids), E/T (where E is nitrogen of essential amino acids and T is its sum total), amino acid number, factor of digestibility in vitro were high enough and close to the respective parameters of the reference protein. Animal experiments showed high biological value of the algal biomass and the lack of its toxic or other adverse effects. The data on the quantity and quality of protein from the unicellular algae are indicative of its high biological value and applicability to BLSS. It is suggested that the differences in the protein composition associated with various algal forms and cultivation conditions can be used to produce balanced diets by varying the portion of each form of the photoautotrophic component of BLSS.
Most kinds of phytoplankton are good food for mosquito larvae. However, Culex, Aedes and Anopheles larvae fail to develop successfully in water where certain species of closely related green algae in the order Chlorococcales are the main source of food; apparently because the larvae are unable to digest them. Many species of Scenedesmus, Kirchneriella, Dactylococcus, Elakotothrix, Tetrallantos, Coelastrum, Selenastrum and Tetradesmus have this effect. These algae may offer a practical possibility for mosquito control when introduced into mosquito breeding habitats. Introduction of these algae could be assisted by simultaneous introduction of select filter-feeding zooplankton such as Daphnia.
Twenty cows from a dairy herd consisting of 60 healthy, lactating Holsteins developed clinical signs of anorexia, mental derangement, dehydration, recumbency, and ruminal atony after ingesting water containing blue-green algae. Of the 20 cows, 9 died. The algal bloom, which developed in a stagnant pond during hot, dry weather, was identified as the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, a potentially hepatotoxic algae. One week after the onset of toxicosis, affected cows seemed healthy, although liver-associated enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase) were increased. Intraruminal administration of the intact wet bloom to a healthy 125-kg Angus heifer was followed by hepatic necrosis and death. The liver was large, friable, and gun-metal blue, with microscopically evident hepatocyte dissociation, degeneration, and necrosis. The ingesta of the heifer contained typical clumps of cells that were identified as M aeruginosa. The intraperitoneal administration of lyophilized cell material from that bloom to 18 mice caused marked hepatic enlargement. The intraperitoneal median lethal dose of the dried bloom was estimated to be 10 mg/kg of body weight. A cyclic peptide toxin purified from the algae seems to be similar structurally to toxins from other characterized hepatotoxic blooms of M aeruginosa.
Five Holstein cows developed a sudden clinical syndrome of ataxia, muscle tremors, recumbency, and bloody diarrhea. The pond where these cows obtained water contained a near pure culture of Microcystis aeruginosa, a toxic blue-green algae. All cows affected were treated with activated charcoal, procaine penicillin, glucose, and calcium and magnesium gluconate. All 5 cows were clinically normal ten days later. Many practicing veterinarians regard blue-green algae toxicosis as a rare syndrome that results in rapid death for consuming animals; however, this toxicosis may be common and not lethal. Because no diagnostic test is available for blue-green algae toxicosis, this condition rarely is diagnosed.
The amino acid composition of the peptide moiety of sulphur containing polynucleotide-peptide complexes (S-PNPC) was studied with four species of green algae and two species of blue-green algae. S-PNPC contained almost all amino acids which were usually encountered in acid hydrolysates of proteins, and also unidentified ninhydrin-positive compounds. The amino acid composition of the peptide moiety of S-PNPC was rather similar in the case of different algae, and was characterized by the prevailence of acid amino acids.
A comprehensive investigation was done to evaluate the allergenic algae in the Delhi area. Results of 4,000 skin tests performed on 400 patients suffering from naso-bronchial allergy and 300 skin tests on 30 healthy persons with 10 common algae isolated from the Dehli atmosphere are presented and compared. Positive skin reactions (1+ to 3+) to algae extracts ranged from 25.7% with Lyngbya major extract to 1.7% with Oscillatoria simplicissima extract; in healthy non-allergic volunteers there were no positive skin reactions. The Prausnitz-Küstner (PK), bronchial provocation and conjunctival tests were negative in patients with negative skin reactions; in patients with positive skin reactions PK was positive in 70.9%, bronchial provocation in 50% and conjunctival in 48.5%. Levels of total IgE in patients with naso-bronchial allergy were higher, ranging from 1,225 international units per ml to 1,550 international units per ml, while in healthy volunteers the values were less than 885 international units per ml.
It was established by a series of experiments with white Wistar rats that intraperitoneal injection of water extracts (infusions) of a mixed sample of dried algae (Cystosira barbata, Ulva lactica and Zostera nona) collected at the Bourgas coastal region, respectively leveled to an isotonic solution by use of 0.9% NaCl produces well expressed antiinflammatory effect in Caragina provoked oedema. The mixed sample of algae has LD0--0.250 g dry drug per kg body weight, LD'100--0.500 g/kg b. w. and LD50--0.407 g/kg b. w. The therapeutic index of the algae is relatively high -- LD50/U50+20.
An English strain of the fresh water symbiotic coelenterate Hydra viridis was experimentally "bleached" of its Chlorella algae and maintained indefinitely by feeding. The algal symbiosis could be re-established by injecting other symbiotic algae into aposymbionts. Although algal uptake and recognition were not affected by microtubule protein polymerization inhibitors, these compounds i.e., podophyllotoxin, beta-peltatin and vinblastine had delaying effects on the migration of the algae through the host digestive cells. Picropodophyllotoxin did not delay migration. The rates, the reversibility and the sensitivity of algal migration to low concentrations of drugs known to bind tubulin suggests the symbionts migrate somehow via labile polymerization of host hydra tubulin into microtubules.
p3phycoerythrin is the major phycobiliprotein of Rhodophyta and endows these algae with the characteristic color. R-phycoerythrin purified from red alga Calithamnion rubosom is composed of four dissimilar polypeptide subunits, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. In calibrated SDS gel electrophoresis their molecular weights are 21 000, 21 600, 31 000 and 33 000 daltons, respectively. The stoichiometry of the subunits in the native protein is 9 alpha: 9 beta: 2 gamma: 1 delta. R-phycoerythrin carries two covalently linked apoprotein red tetrapyrrol pigments: phycoerythrobilin (PEB) and phycourobilin (PUB). Chemical and spectroscopic data show that alpha subunit carries solely two PEB chromophores, beta subunit--3 PEB and 1 PUB groups, gamma subunit--3 PEB and 2 PUB groups and delta subunit--1 or 2 PEB and 1 PUB groups. The chromophore and polypeptide structure of R-phycoerythrin is mostly composed of all known phycobiliproteins of red and blue-green algae.
Evidence from light and electron microscopy shows that symbiotic algae occur in a large percentage of fertilized eggs of two strains of green hydra. Transmission of algae to eggs may occur by insertion of algae-laden endodermal cell processes across the mesogloea into the ooplasm of the ectodermally-derived egg when oocyte maturation is well under way. This transmission mechanism is contrasted with mechanisms postulated for other strains of green hydra.