Effect of cadmium on the accumulation of arsenic in a marine green alga, Dunaliellasp.

Abstract To investigate the effect of cadmium on the accumulation of arsenic by Dunaliella sp., the arsenic accumulated in the alga was determined as a function of time for coexistence of the algae with arsenic and cadmium, with batch methodology. Growth of Dunaliella sp. was affected by addition of arsenic (Na2HAsO4.7H2O) and cadmium (CdCl.2.5H2O). Growth inhibition of Dunaliella sp. was accelerated by coexistence of arsenic and cadmium. The content of arsenic in Dunaliella sp. became a maximum at 15 h after exposure. The arsenic content in the cells was influenced by addition of cadmium to the solution; the arsenic content in the alga derived from growth in a 10 mg As dm −3 solution decreased from 2.7 mg g−1 in the absence of cadmium to 0.35 mg g−1 for the addition of 100 mg Cd dm−3. Dunaliella sp. accumulated cadmium in large quantities but, in conditions of coexistence with arsenic and cadmium, the cadmium content in cells decreased with an increase in the concentration of arsenic in the growth medium Cadmium accumulation by Dunaliella sp. was observed in dead cells although arsenic accumulation was not observed. About 85% of arsenic in the cells was in the water‐soluble fraction. On the other hand, about 42% of cadmium in the cells was in the water‐soluble fraction, and about 55% was in a fraction soluble in cold trichloroacetic acid.