Effect of aluminum and pH on the growth ofAnacystis nidulans

Abstract

Anacystis nidulans is a typically rod-shaped unicellular cyanobacterium. It is an obligate photoautograph whose photosynthetic apparatus is very is very similar to eukaryotic chloroplasts in functional and molecular aspects. Of the toxic materials discharged, trace and heavy metals are of major concern. Metals are introduced into the environment by industrial agricultural and municipal wastes as well as by natural runoff. Metals emitted into the environment from combustion can also find their way into waterways. Aluminum is one of the most abundant metals in the earth's crust. It is reported that water draining from rock strata associated with coal seams may contain acid salts of aluminum, iron and manganese. The toxic effects of aluminum on plant growth have long been known. Several concentrations of aluminum, as well as various pH values were studied, to determine the extent to which some pollutants will effect the growth of Anacystis nidulans. Since reports have indicated that EDTA influences the effect of many metals, studies were performed with and without EDTA.