The toxicity of lead to the freshwater microalgae scenedesmus and the water flea Daphnia carinata

Abstract

Sai Gon river is an important source for water supply in Ho Chi Minh city. However, its water quality is degrading gradually due to rapid population growth, increasing urbanization, and industrialization. The river is continuously loaded with xenobiotics released by anthropogenic activities. Among pollutants, heavy metals are considered the most toxic elements to aquatic living organisms and human health. The aim of this study is to assess the sensibility of freshwater microalga Scenedesmus sp. and water flea Daphnia carinata, two freshwater species from Viet Nam to lead (Pb). The results showed that Pb was highly toxic to D. carinata and harmful to freshwater algae Scenedesmus sp. Based on the observed high sensitivity with Pb, D. carinata is a potential bioindicator for the assessment of Pb pollution in the Sai Gon River. While lead-tolerance alga Scenedesmus sp. calls for further investigation on metal uptake capacity and utilization in the Pb contaminated water treatment.