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(W/EH074) Copper uptake by Cyanobacteria, their possibilities in environmental bioremediation. Zaccaro, M.1, Stella, A.1, Storni de Cano, M.1, Rodríguez, A.1, Zulpa de Caire, G.1, 1 ABSTRACT- Copper is an essential trace element, a metallo-enzymes and proteins cofactor and takes part in metabolic processes such as respiration and photosynthesis. In Cyanobacteria high concentrations may affect phycobilisomes, phycobilipigments, photosynthetic electron transport chain, and the assimilation of nitrogen sources. Any environmental factor affecting the fluorescence of the phycobiliproteins will ultimately affect the photosynthetic efficiency of the cells. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of Microchaete tenera and Tolypothrix tenuis to bioconcentrate Cu2+, and the effect on tetrapyrrole pigments content. Copper absorption was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and tetrapyrrole pigments following Tandeau de Marsac and Houmard (1988). M. tenera accumulated 1438.30 and T. tenuis 3166.85 Key words: Cyanobacteria, copper, tetrapyrrole- pigments, bioremediation |
g Cu2+ / g DW with 100 ppm Cu2+ in the culture medium. This concentration decreased phycocyanin (PC), allophycocyanin (APC), phycoerythrin (PE) and chlorophyll a by 30.6, 41.7, 34.5 and 17.7%, respectively, in M. tenera. In T. tenuis, increased PC, APC, PE and chlorophyll a by 54.5, 35.4, 61.8 and 94.5%, respectively. The uptake of Cu2+ by T. tenuis, offers good possibilities for an eventual process of bioremediation of contamined soil and water.