Mechanisms and Factors Regulating the Uptake and Toxicity of Heavy Metals in Phytoplankton

Abstract

Our long-term research goals are to determine the influence of pollutant metals on the productivity and species composition of phytoplankton communities in coastal waters and to determine the role of algal metal uptake in controlling the particulate removal and biogeochemical cycling of metals. To achieve these goals, we need to determine the environmental factors and underlying physiological mechanisms that regulate the cellular accumulation and effects of toxic metals (Cu, Cd, and Zn) and interactive nutrient metals (Mn, Zn and Fe) in representative phytoplankton species. We then can combine this information with data on environmental variations in controlling factors (e.g., free ion concentrations of metals and specific growth rate) to construct conceptual and mathematical models for algal uptake, cellular accumulation, and biological effects of metals.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 1998
Accession Number
ADA537181

Entities

People

  • Susan A. Huntsman
  • William G. Sunda

Organizations

  • National Marine Fisheries Service

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cell Membrane
  • Cells
  • Euphotic Zones
  • Heavy Metals
  • Information Operations
  • Intensity
  • Kinetics
  • Mathematical Models
  • Metals
  • Models
  • Narragansett Bay
  • Phytoplankton
  • Plankton
  • Scientific Literature
  • Steady State
  • Toxicity
  • Urban Areas

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Theoretical Analysis.