Physiological effects of CuCl2, NaCl and their combinations on Spirulina sp.

In this study some physiological effects of copper chloride (CuCl2, 0.0, 0.1 and 1.0 ppm), sodium chloride (NaCl, 0.0, 0.2 and 0.4 M) and both of them on Spirulina sp. were investigated. In this content, firstly microalga was adapted to culture medium. Then microalga was inoculated into erlen flasks containing both of stress and culture solutions. Growth rate, biomass values (dry mass), Cu and potassium (K) concentrations, chlorophyll-a, caroten, proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of microalga were determined at the end of seven days.It was determined that 1.0 ppm Cu decreased the growth rate, biomass, K, chlorophyll-a and caroten contents of Spirulina sp., while causing increase in the contents of Cu, proline and MDA. However 0.1 Cu ppm affected these variables weakly and resulted less damage in Spirulina sp. with respect to 1.0 ppm Cu. Similarly, NaCl also increased proline and MDA contents, but decreased others. Decrease in the amount of caroten was less than that of chlorophyll-a in applications of Cu and NaCl separately. Concerning the application of NaCl and CuCl2 mixture, it was determined that adding NaCl into the medium decreased Cu content of Spirulina sp. In addition, application of CuCl2 and NaCl mixture affected other parameters more than the application of Cu and NaCl separately.