Environmental toxicological evaluation (in vitro) of copper, zinc and cybutryne on the growth and amino acids content of the marine alga Dunaliella salina

Abstract

Pollution rates in ports areas should be monitored on a regular basis in order to protect marine environment. This study focused on the inhibitory effects of copper and zinc, and cybutryne (an antifouling agent) discharged from the dry-dock cleaning process of ship hulls on the growth and amino acid content of Dunaliella salina, a unicellular green marine alga. In addition, the metal concentrations in effluents were assessed in order to know the potential threats and possible consequences of the effluent discharge on the marine habitats. The antifouling cybutryne was found to be the most potent inhibitor of growth and amino acid content in D. salina, followed by copper and zinc, which were present at very high concentrations in the study area. However, the lowest concentration (5 mg/L) of the two heavy metals increased the algae growth and amino acid content, and the results showed that Cu²⁺ produced more growth inhibition effect on D. salina than Zn²⁺.