Toxicity of Polychlorinated Biphenyls to 'Euglena Gracilis': Cell Population Growth, Carbon Fixation, Chlorophyll Level, Oxygen Consumption, and Protein and Nucleic Acid Synthesis.

Abstract

Populations of Euglena gracilis in exponential growth under light were exposed to 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 ppm of Aroclor 1221. With Aroclor 1242, no inhibition of growth was observed with up to 100 ppm exposure. Cell cultures exposed to 4.4 ppm of Aroclor 1221 for 48 hours had a significantly reduced rate of carbon fixation and reduced levels of chlorophyll after correction for cell density. Oxygen consumption was not affected. Uptake of H(3)-leucine in treated cultures was twice that of controls, and H(3)-uridine uptake was significantly lower. Uptake of H(3)-thymidine, and incorporation of H(3)-leucine, H(3)-thymidine, and H(3)-uridine were not significantly different in treated and control cultures. An inexpensive and rapid screening method for potential toxic environmental chemical compounds used by military organizations is of great importance in case such compounds are accidently introduced into the environment.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA033900

Entities

People

  • J. E. French
  • M. A. Champ
  • W. G. Ewald

Organizations

  • Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acids
  • Cells
  • Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
  • Chlorophylls
  • Classification
  • Culture Techniques
  • Filters
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Inhibition
  • New England
  • New York
  • Nucleic Acids
  • Photosynthesis
  • Phytoplankton
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • Security
  • Solvents

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Environmental Engineering.
  • Mathematics or Statistics

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Bioremediation