Speculations on a possible essential function of the gelatinous sheath of blue-green algae

1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1181-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willy Lange
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Natural Waters ◽  
Algal Cell ◽  
Algal Species ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Surrounding Water ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Green Algal ◽  
Vigorous Growth ◽  
Associated Species

Voluminous and often fluffy sheaths surrounding blue-green algal cells are observed (a) in productive natural waters, (b) in bacteria-containing laboratory cultures growing in inorganic nutrient media with added bacteria-assimilable organic matter, and (c) in axenic cultures in the same inorganic media even without added organic matter. The sheaths of bacteria-associated species in inorganic media without added organic matter are, by comparison, thin, and growth is meager. Repeated observations show that voluminous sheaths and vigorous growth of algal species are associated. It is suggested that formation and retention of a voluminous sheath provide a microenvironment around the algal cell where essential nutrients, present at only submarginal levels in the surrounding water, are concentrated and become readily available to the cell. This increase in nutrient concentration above a critical level, in turn, leads to vigorous algal growth. The voluminous sheath produced by the alga is not attacked by alga-associated bacteria when other assimilable organic matter is available: but in the absence of a more suitable food, the bacteria feed on the less desirable gelatinous sheath, markedly reducing its thickness and causing meager algal growth.

Enhancement of algal growth in Cyanophyta–bacteria systems by carbonaceous compounds

1971 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willy Lange
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Algal Species ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Growth Enhancement ◽  
Organic Additives ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Essential Trace Elements ◽  
Carbon Compounds ◽  
Algal Photosynthesis

Planktonic blue-green algae are always associated with bacteria. This association leads to enhanced or abundant algal growth when atmospheric carbon dioxide becomes a limiting factor and bacteria-assimilable carbonaceous matter is added. The study was carried out with 12 bacteria-associated blue-green species and 22 aliphatic, bacteria-assimilable carbon compounds. A normal, phosphate-rich Zehnder–Gorham culture medium (No. 11) was used. The bacterial assimilation of the aliphatic matter apparently leads to the production of CO2, which accelerates algal photosynthesis. The observed growth effects are not specific for a particular algal species. They appear to be specific mainly for the bacteria which happen to be associated with the algal cells. Similar growth enhancement was observed when the atmosphere was enriched with 0.5% CO2. With this augmented supply of atmospheric CO2, however, the enhancing effect of organic matter disappeared. The presence of the organic additives also appears to delay bacterial assimilation of organic chelating agents which have been added to keep iron and essential trace elements accessible to the algae in an alkaline medium. Axenic cultures of those algal species which cannot use added carbonaceous compounds did not show any effect of the additive. The results suggest that bacteria-assimilable carbon compounds may be one of the factors leading to algal bloom in lakes and ponds, especially when growth is not limited by the supply of phosphorus or other inorganic elements.

Enhancement of Autotrophic Production by Nutrient Addition in a Coastal Rainforest Stream on Vancouver Island

1978 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Stockner ◽  
K. R. S. Shortreed
Keyword(s):  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
N:P Ratio ◽  
Visual Observation ◽  
Nutrient Addition ◽  
Appreciable Effect ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Species Succession ◽  
Green Algal ◽  
Enrichment Experiments

In 1976 streamside nutrient-enrichment experiments were conducted using wooden troughs. Tripling of the PO4-P concentration, with or without a similar increase of NO3-N, increased algal biomass on the troughs by 8 times after 35 days. Increasing NO3-N alone had no appreciable effect on algal growth. A sloughing of algal biomass in August 1976 is believed to have been due to the instability of the heavy algal mat on the troughs and to the very poor light conditions that prevailed throughout August. Visual observation indicated that the relatively heavy algal population in Carnation Creek rapidly declined concurrent with the decline in the troughs. The percentage of diatoms in the algal assemblage remained the same in all troughs, and Fragilaria vaucheriae replaced Achnanthes minutissima as dominant on the phosphorus enriched trough. No shift to green or blue-green algal dominated assemblages occurred despite alteration of the N:P ratio. The dynamics of species succession, distribution, and growth, with and without nutrient addition, are discussed. Key words: stream fertilization, autotrophic production, algal succession, N:P ratio, algal distribution, rainforest, algal biomass, diatoms, blue-green algae

Assimilable organic carbon formation from algogenic organic matter and its variation by chlorination

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kim ◽  
S. Lee ◽  
S. Xu ◽  
M. Akiba ◽  
M. Nomura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Algal Species ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Carbon Formation ◽  
Chlorination Process ◽  
Assimilable Organic Carbon ◽  
Extracellular Organic Matter ◽  
Death Phase

The objective of this study is to assess the importance of algae and algogenic organic substances concerned with the formation of assimilable organic carbon (AOC) during algal growth and chlorination process. Laboratory tests were carried out using cultures of algal species (Phormidium tenue) with different culture medium, M-11 and CT. Extracellular organic matter (EOM) produced during the stationary phase and death phase of P. tenue (106 cells/mL) with M-11 culture medium led to significant increase of the AOC concentration, up to 100 times as high as its initial concentration. In case of CT culture medium containing a high DOC component, the AOC concentration did not increase significantly during P. tenue culture. The formation and removal of AOC derived from EOM and intercellular organic matter (IOM) by chlorination were also examined. The AOC concentration after chlorination of EOM and IOM became maximum with 2 mg/L of chlorine dosage while it decreased with increase of chlorine dosage when the dosage was higher than 2 mg/L, suggesting that necessary chlorine dosage to not form AOC is higher than 2 mg/L.

scholarly journals Toxic or Otherwise Harmful Algae and the Built Environment

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 465
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Karl Hofbauer
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Green Algae ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Algal Species ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Harmful Algae ◽  
Special Group ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Nature Literature

This article gives a comprehensive overview on potentially harmful algae occurring in the built environment. Man-made structures provide diverse habitats where algae can grow, mainly aerophytic in nature. Literature reveals that algae that is potentially harmful to humans do occur in the anthropogenic environment in the air, on surfaces or in water bodies. Algae may negatively affect humans in different ways: they may be toxic, allergenic and pathogenic to humans or attack human structures. Toxin-producing alga are represented in the built environment mainly by blue green algae (Cyanoprokaryota). In special occasions, other toxic algae may also be involved. Green algae (Chlorophyta) found airborne or growing on manmade surfaces may be allergenic whereas Cyanoprokaryota and other forms may not only be toxic but also allergenic. Pathogenicity is found only in a special group of algae, especially in the genus Prototheca. In addition, rare cases with infections due to algae with green chloroplasts are reported. Algal action may be involved in the biodeterioration of buildings and works of art, which is still discussed controversially. Whereas in many cases the disfigurement of surfaces and even the corrosion of materials is encountered, in other cases a protective effect on the materials is reported. A comprehensive list of 79 taxa of potentially harmful, airborne algae supplemented with their counterparts occurring in the built environment, is given. Due to global climate change, it is not unlikely that the built environment will suffer from more and higher amounts of harmful algal species in the future. Therefore, intensified research in composition, ecophysiology and development of algal growth in the built environment is indicated.

scholarly journals Chroococcalean blue green algae from the paddy fields of Satara District, Maharashtra, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 16979-16992
Author(s):  
Sharada Jagannath Ghadage ◽  
Vaneeta Chandrashekhar Karande
Keyword(s):  
Green Algae ◽  
Polar Region ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Paddy Fields ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Green Algal ◽  
The Family

Blue green algae are the photosynthetic prokaryotes representing a wide distribution in habitat, i.e., temperate, tropical, and polar region.  Paddy fields are the best studied aquatic ecosystems on earth which fulfill all the necessary demands required for blue green algal growth.  Blue green algal role in enhancement of paddy yield has been studied worldwide.  Sustainable utilization of an organism for community use depends on how successfully the ecology of that organism is understood.  Twenty-eight chroococcalean blue green algal taxa were recorded from the study area.  They were taxonomically investigated and found to belong to two families and 11 genera.   The first family Chroococcaceae was the largest family with 10 genera and 26 species while the second family Entophysalidaceae had only one genus and two species.  The genus Gloeocapsa from the family Chroococcaceae exhibited largest species diversity (21.42%), as well as taxa Chlorogloea fritschii of family Entophysalidaceae showed species abundance from the study area.  All heterocystous blue green algal forms are capable of fixation of atmospheric N2.  Many of the non-heterocystous or unicellular blue green algae also have the capacity of N2 fixation.  The taxonomical documentation of chroococcalean blue green algae provide information about such indigenous unicellular blue green algae which will help in the development of niche specific inoculants as biofertilizers for rice fields of the study region.  

Freshwater green algal biofouling of boats in the Kabul River, Pakistan

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Izaz Khuram ◽  
Nadeem Ahmad ◽  
Samin Jan ◽  
Sophia Barinova
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Green Algae ◽  
Algal Species ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Temperature Conductivity ◽  
Green Algal ◽  
Significant Stimulation ◽  
Kabul River

AbstractFreshwater green algal biofouling of boats refers to the accrual of freshwater green algae on boats immersed in water. The current research focused on the morphological characteristics of the isolates, species ecology, and the physicochemical properties of the water at the sampling sites. Two localities, Haji Zai and Sardaryab, were sampled at the Kabul River in the district of Charsadda, Pakistan. Freshwater green algae causing biofouling were isolated from the boats. A total of three genera: Cladophora, Rhizoclonium, and Spirogyra with fifteen species belonging to the families Cladophoraceae and Zygnemataceae were observed. Statistical analysis reveals significant stimulation of green algal species in the boats’ fouled communities by increases in water temperature, conductivity, and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The algal growth at the Haji Zai site is suppressed by TDS in autumn (Pearson −0.56) and is stimulated by water temperature in spring (Pearson 0.44). At the Sardaryab site, algae were stimulated in spring by pH of water (Pearson 0.61), and suppressed by Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in autumn (Pearson −0.43). Statistical analysis indicates that pH, conductivity, and temperature are the main factors determining the algal biofouling in the Kabul River.

Removal of Musty-Odorous Compounds in Water and Retained in Algal Cells through Water Purification Processes

1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ando ◽  
M. Miwa ◽  
M. Kajino ◽  
S. Tatsumi
Keyword(s):  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Algal Cell ◽  
Surrounding Water ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Musty Odor ◽  
Odorous Compounds ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Metabolite Content

Musty-odorous compounds, metabolites of some species of blue-green algae, are usually contained in both the water and algal cell bodies. The compounds in the latter solid phase were found to be easily removed by coagulation and sedimentation without breakpoint prechlorination (intermediate chlorination used instead). Chlorination of the algae results in an artificial release of the metabolite content into the surrounding water. When a large fraction of the compounds was present in the algal cell bodies, more than 60% of these compounds were removed in the intermediate-chlorination treatment. Powdered activated carbon treatment is effective in removing the compounds in the aqueous phase. However, the effectivness was usually limited in practical treatment to high concentrations of musty odor. On the other hand, the ozonation and granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment was found to be an effective method for removal. It was observed that the musty-odorous compounds were completely removed through the ozonation and GAC treatment system, which included coagulation and sedimentation without prechlorination.

scholarly journals Note on taxonomy of Chlorogloeopsis fritschii (Mitra) Mitra et Pandey with soil analysis, collected from a rice field in West Bengal, India

Our Nature ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-98
Author(s):  
Nilu Halder
Keyword(s):  
Rice Field ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Algal Species ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Rice Field Soil ◽  
Green Algal ◽  
Chlorogloeopsis Fritschii

While studying on paddy field blue green algae, author for the first time recorded a blue green algal species Chlorogloeopsis fritschii (Mitra) Mitra et Pandey from rice field soil in summer during 2013 in Hooghly, West Bengal, India. In the present paper, taxonomical description with microphotographs of the species has been provided. In addition to that, soil which was collected from the algal occurrence site has been analyzed. The different physico-chemical parameters of soil were as followed: pH: 7.1; EC: 0.142 dSm-1; OC: 6.6 mgkg-1; Ca2+: 4.6 cmol+kg-1; Na+: 0.71 cmol+kg-1; K+: 0.15 cmol+kg-1; CEC: 12.6 cmol+kg-1; WHC: 45%. Soil textures were as: sand: 36.2%, slit: 28.1% and clay: 35.7%. This study of soil showed its nature and present nutrient content. As the alga contains heterocyst and can fix atmospheric nitrogen to soil so, it can apply in rice fields as biofertilizer to enhance the yield of rice and increase of soil fertility. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. 

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