Toxicity Evaluation of Six Textile Dyes on Growth, Metabolism and Elemental Composition (C, H, N, S) of Microalgae Spirulina platensis: The Environmental Consequences.

Abstract

A concentration-dependent decrease in growth rate and pigment concentration of the blue-green alga Spirulina platensis was recorded after the exposure to graded (5-40ppm) concentration of six textile dyes. The profile of vital elements (C, H, N, S) also showed a significant variation due to dye toxicity. The algal population showed up to 50% decrease in protein content after exposure to the dyes. Among the pigments, the dye exposure resulted in > 90% decreases in phycocyanin however, total chlorophyll and carotenoids exhibited up to a 50% decrease compared to control. The findings indicate that the unregulated discharge of textile dyes will directly impact the photoautotrophic organisms leading to ecological imbalance in aquatic ecosystems. Overall observations of the report provide baseline information about the toxicity of textile dyes and giving a better insight into the little-understood mechanisms of dye toxicity.