Influence of phosphorus on copper toxicity to Selenastrum gracile (Reinsch) Korshikov

• Previous acclimation to P resulted in changes in physiology of algae.
• Less P available in the medium increased the copper toxicity.
• Selenastrum gracile is a potential sensitive organism to ecotoxicological studies.

Microalgae need a variety of nutrients for optimal growth and health. However, this rarely occurs in nature, and if nutrient proportions vary, biochemical changes can occur in phytoplankton community. This may result in modifications of zooplankton food quality, affecting aquatic food chains. Our aim was to investigate the toxicity of copper (Cu) to Selenastrum gracile, a common freshwater Chlorophyceae, at different physiological status induced by varying phosphorus (P) concentration in culture medium. Phosphorus was investigated at 2.3×10−4, 1.1×10−4, 2.3×10−5, 4.6×10−6 and 2.3×10−6 mol L−1 and Cu at six concentrations, ranging from 6.9×10−9 mol L−1 to 1.0×10−7 mol L−1 free Cu2+ ions. To guarantee the cells would be in a physiological status that reflected the external P concentration, they were previously acclimated up to constant growth rate at each P concentration. Phosphorus acclimated cells were then exposed to Cu and toxicity was evaluated through population density, growth rates and chlorophyll a content. Free Cu2+ ions concentrations were calculated through the chemical equilibrium model MINEQL+. The results showed that higher Cu toxicity was obtained in P-limited than in P-replete cells, and that chlorophyll a/cell was higher in P-limited cells and excess Cu than in P-replete cells. This confirms the importance of microalgae nutritional status to withstand the negative effects of the trace metal.