Effects of hydrocarbons on growth and 14^C-uptake by Thalassiosira psudonana (Bacillariophyceae). In: Flødevigen rapportserie no 2, 1990

Abstract

Exponentially growing cultures of Thalassiosira pseudonana were exposed to different concentrations of benzene, naphthalene and decane. The acute effects of algal growth were different for increasing concentrations of the three compounds. Benzene either did not affect cell division or it completely blocked it. Naphthalene reduced the growth rate gradually. Increasing concentrations of decane caused a prolonged lag phase. After the lag phase the growth rates were similar to those of the control. The acute effects on 14^C-uptake followed a similar pattern for the three components. There was a rise in the uptake with low concentrations of hydrocarbons, followed by a sharp fall in the uptake with rising concentrations. The concentrations giving 50% reduction in 14^C-uptake were: 40 mg/l benzene, 2 mg/l naphthalene and 0.016 mg/l decane. There was a linear relationship between the concentrations of hydrocarbon giving a 50% reduction in 14^C-uptake and the solubility of the hydrocarbon.