Mechanisms and Factors Regulating the Uptake and Toxicity of Heavy Metals in Phytoplankton

摘要

Our long-term research goals are to determine the influence of pollutant metals on the productivity and species composition of phytoplankton communities in coastal waters and to determine the role of algal metal uptake in controlling the particulate removal and biogeochemical cycling of metals. To achieve these goals, we need to determine the environmental factors and underlying physiological mechanisms that regulate the cellular accumulation and effects of toxic metals (Cu, Cd, and Zn) and interactive nutrient metals (Mn, Zn and Fe) in representative phytoplankton species. We then can combine this information with data on environmental variations in controlling factors (e.g., free ion concentrations of metals and specific growth rate) to construct conceptual and mathematical models for algal uptake, cellular accumulation, and biological effects of metals.