Effects of WSF of Mexican crude oil on chlorophylla, and lipid composition of planktonic microalgae

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Effects of water-soluble fraction of the Mexican crude oil “Isthmus Cactus” on growth, cellular content of chlorophylla, and lipid composition of planktonic microalgae

A research article

M. R. Morales-Loo1 and M. Goutx2(1) Station Marine d'Endoume, Rue de la Batterie des Lions, F-13007 Marseille, France(2) Centre d'Océanologie de Marseille, Faculté de Sciences de Luminy, Route Léon Lachamp, F-13288 Marseille cédex 09, FranceAccepted: 16 November 1989 Communicated by J. M. Pérès, Marseille

Journal - Marine Biology
Publisher - Springer Berlin / Heidelberg
Issue - Volume 104, Number 3 / October, 1990
SpringerLink Date - Friday, April 22, 2005

Abstract

Phytoplankton species were grown in batch cultures in the presence of the water-soluble fraction (WSF; 50 and 100%) of a Mexican crude oil (Isthmus Cactus). The algae exhibited various responses ranging from retarded growth to stimulation of growth. The cellular content of chlorophylla and the lipid composition of the algae were examined. Four algae, the bacillariophytesNitzschia closterium andAsterionella glacialis, the cryptophytesRhodomonas lens, and the chlorophyteDunaliella tertiolecta, exhibited retarded growth. In most of these algae, cellular chlorophylla, lipid pigments, glycolipids and triglycerides decreased whereas sterols and hydrocarbons accumulated. Phospholipids did not exhibit any specific pattern of change during the experiments. The cyanophyteAgmenellum quadruplicatum and the bacillariophyteSkeletonema costatum were less sensitive to the WSF. The cell yield of the dinophyteProrocentrum minimum was stimulated by the WSF. In these three latter species, lipid pigments were enhanced or remained at control levels. We concluded that the toxic effect of the WSF disrupts the biosynthesis mechanisms required for a functional photosynthetic apparatus (biosynthesis of chlorophylla, glycolipids and lipid pigments) in sensitive algae, a phenomenon coupled to sterol accumulation in these algae.

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