The effects of cadmium on the fine structure of the brown alga cystoseira bavbata forma repens zinova et kalugina

Abstract

The effects of cadmium on the fine structure of the vegetative cells of the fucoid alga Cystoseira barbata forma repens were studied under laboratory culture conditions. Cadmium supplied to natural sea-water as CdCl2, at concentrations ranging from 100 to 10, 000 pgl1 for 3 and 6 days, induced ultrastructural changes in plastids and vacuoles. Dense deposits were observed within cell walls and nuclei. These observations are discussed in relation to published physiological and biochemical results. © 1991 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.