Selective Algicidal Activity of Surfactant and Its Mechanism

Abstract

Cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC), linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), and t-octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-100) were selected to investigate their ability and corresponding physiological mechanisms to control turbulent biofilm formed by Chlorella vulgaris. Significant algicidal activity of CTAC was observed, in contrast to the minor inhibition on algae biomass generated by LAS and Triton X-100. CTAC-treated sample appeared to plasmolyze the algae cell, while LAS treated and Triton X-100-treated sample did not show obvious alteration. The increase in surfactant concentration led to the inhibition efficiency increase in acid phosphatase (ACP) activity. The ACP activities of CTAC-treated sample were restrained most among the tested surfactants. These results indicated the possible mechanisms of surfactants on the growth of algae and the potential application of cationic surfactants in controlling algae blooms.