Short-term time series study of copper and cadmium uptake by Cricosphaera elongata (Droop) Braarud

Abstract

Short-term experiments (from 0.5 to 24 h) of cadmium and copper uptake by batch cultures of Cricosphaera elongata (Droop) Braarud (Haptophyceae) in stationary phase have been made. The accumulation of both metals by C. elongata is significant. The uptake of copper does not depend on exposure time or light. Cadmium is taken up as a function of time and a linear relationship is found between cadmium accumulation and contact time. In the dark, cadmium uptake is much lower. In experiments where cadmium and copper have been added simultaneously to the culture medium, the cadmium uptake becomes negligible whereas that of copper is unchanged. A passive process seems to be involved in copper accumulation whereas cadmium requires an active process.