Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Effect Of Field-Collected Biofilms On The Toxicity Of Copper To A Marine Microalga (Tetraselmis Sp.) In Laboratory Bioassays, Jacqueline L. Levy, Jenny L. Stauber, Steven A. Wakelin, Dianne F. Jolley

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Standard algal growth rate inhibition bioassays can lack environmental realism and may over- or underestimate metal bioavailability in natural systems. In aquatic environments, algal species interact with other biota, including other algae, bacteria and biofilms. In this work, the feasibility of incorporating marine biofilms into 72h algal growth inhibition toxicity tests was explored. The effects of copper on Tetraselmis sp. were tested in the absence and presence of characterised field-collected biofilms. We hypothesised that the addition of biofilm would prevent copper toxicity to the alga primarily through interactions of the metal with other cells and biofilm exudates. The sensitivity …