The Effects of Copper (Cu) and Cadmium (Cd) in Chlamydomonas sp. Growth

Abstract

Heavy metal pollutant such as Cu and Cd may affects the life of aquatic organisms such as Chlamydomonas sp. A study aims to understand the effects of Cu and Cd present in the water toward the growth of Chlamydomonas sp, a study has been conducted on March - May 2019. The toxicity of the heavy metals toward the growth of Chlamydomonas sp was tested following the standard methods of Asean-Canada Cooperative Program on Marine Science Phase-II (ACCPMS-II). Results shown that IC50-96 hours of Cu and Cd on the growth of Chlamydomonas sp. was 0.6 mgL-1, and 24.92 mgL-1 respectively. Data obtained proved that the presence of Cu and Cd in the water inhibit the growth of Chlamydomonas sp, and Cu is more toxic than Cd. The Cu toxicity was 42 times greater than that of Cd. The NOEC values for Cu was < 1 mgL-1, while that of Cd was 18 mgL-1. LOEC value was 1 mgL-1 for Cu, and 32 mgL-1 for Cd.