Synchronous-scan fluorescence of algal cells for toxicity assessment of heavy metals and herbicides.

Hanh Nguyen-Ngoc (1) , Claude Durrieu (2) , Canh Tran-Minh (3, 4)

1 HCMUT - Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology [Vietnam National University, HCM]
2 LSE-ENTPE - Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement
3 SPIN-ENSMSE - Centre Sciences des Processus Industriels et Naturels
4 P2MC-ENSMSE - Département Poudres et Matériaux Multi-Composants

Synchronous-scan spectrofluorometry was applied to Chlorella vulgaris cells to assess the toxicity of heavy metals and herbicides in water. Simultaneous scan of both the excitation and emission spectra was done at a constant wavelength difference Deltalambda (20-140 nm) between the emission and excitation wavelengths in the range of 420-700 nm emission, where a peak of fluorescence was observed. Its position depends on Deltalambda. Fluorescence measurements were conducted with algal cells in suspension in water and immobilized in a translucent silica matrix. The influence of toxic chemicals was tested with cadmium as a heavy metal and with atrazine, diuron, DNOC and paraquat as herbicides. The toxic effect of those chemicals mainly results in a quenching of algal cells fluorescence by reducing their photosynthetic activity.

Mots clés: Synchronous-scan spectrometry; Chlorella vulgaris; Vegetal cells; Fluorescence; Immobilized algae; Silica matrix; Sol–gel; Toxicity assessment; Heavy metals; Herbicides

Domaines: Biologie végétale; Génie des procédés

Hanh Nguyen-Ngoc, Claude Durrieu, Canh Tran-Minh. Synchronous-scan fluorescence of algal cells for toxicity assessment of heavy metals and herbicides.. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2009, 72 (2), pp.316-20. ⟨10.1016/j.ecoenv.2008.04.016⟩. ⟨hal-00410275⟩