Biological effects of Te(IV) on the growth of Spirulina Platensis and Spirulina Maxima

A standard algal bioassay method was applied to evaluate the biological effect of Te (IV) on two species of Spirulina, Spirulina platensis(S.platensis) and Spirulina maxima(S.maxima). It was found that the growth of Spirulina platensis was stimulated at lower concentration of Te (IV) , and the strongest stimulative concentration of Te(IV) was 1 mg/L. Nevertheless, the stimulative effect of Te (IV) to Spirulina maxima was not found. The growth of the two species of Spirulina was inhibited at higher concentration of Te(IV), and the 96 h EC_(50) values of Te(IV)to Spirulina platensis and Spirulina maxima were 36.1 mg/L and 87.9 mg/L, respectively. The toxic effects of Te (IV) on the two species of Spirulina were also observed by microscope. The results showed that the two species of Spirulina broke and metamorphosed heavily when the concentration of Te (IV) was no less than 100 mg/L.