Assessment of the lead compounds effect on morphological and functional parameters of green algae Scotiellopsis terrestris (Reisigl) Puncochаrovа & Kalina
In this research, we used strain Scotiellopsis terrestris (Reisigl) Puncochаrovа & Kalina separated from the mountain tundra communities of Subpolar Urals affected by mining industry. The strain SYKOA Ch-045-09 is cultivated in the collection of microalgal strains of Institute of Biology of Komi SC (http://ib.komisc.ru/sykoa). Effect of lead salt (1 MPC, 5 MPC and 10 MPC) on morphological, functional and quantitative parameters of development of wide spread green unicellular algae Scotiellopsis terrestris were studied. Increased lead concentrations result in increasing cell size, changes in cell form and color, decrease in cell number and lower chlorophyll content in the cells. Compared to the control (lemon- or spindle-shaped cell, clear light-green color), the experimental cells were oval-shaped and more dark colored (dark-green). Cell sizes of Scotiellopsis terrestris (19.44 μm length and 13.68 μm width in the control) increased up to 23.98 μm length and 19.26 μm width with increasing content of the toxic agent. Number and biomass were lower by two times than the control values. At 10 MPC lead content, obvious decrease of chlorophyll content was registered. Lead concentration in the algal biomass was also measured. Biomass accumulation of the toxic agent in Scotiellopsis terrestris increased with increasing content of the toxic agent according to the following scheme: control < 1 MPC < 5 MPC < 10 MPC. So, the studied species of algae can be suggested as test object to assess contamination of the environment by lead and other heavy metals and also can be used as biosorbent.