title: Effects of low concentrations of bisulfite-sulfite and nitrite on microorganisms.
abstract: A wide range of microorganisms was tested to determine their sensitivity to low concentrations of bisulfite-sulfite and nitrite, solubility products of SO2 and NO2, respectively. Photosynthesis by blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) was more strongly inhibited by 0.1 mM bisulfite-sulfite and 1 mM nitrite at pH 6.0 than photosynthesis by eucaryotic algae and respiration of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. At pH 7.7, blue-green algae were still more sensitive to bisulfite-sulfite and nitrite than eucaryotic algae, but the toxicity of bisulfite-sulfite and nitrite decreased as the pH increased. Photosynthesis by Anabaena flos-aquae at pH 6.0 was inhibited 25% by a bisulfite-sulfite concentration of 10 micrometer and 15% by a nitrite concentration of 50 micrometer. Photosynthesis by the blue-green alga, Lyngbya sp., was not exceptionally sensitive to chlorate and thiosulfate. Acetylene-reducing activity of Beijerinckia indica was completely inhibited by 0.1 mM bisulfite-sulfite at pH 4.0, the suppression being decreased with increasing pH.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013045:Species Specificity; D013447:Sulfites / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D009573:Nitrites; D013447:Sulfites; D002245:Carbon Dioxide