title: Use of physiological and genetic algal tests for the hygienic evaluation of pollutants in waters. Part I. 226Ra studies.
abstract: After exposure for several days of intensively growing algal cultures to a radium concentration of 10(-6) g.1(-1) the physiological and genetic responses of Chlorella kessleri and Scenedesmus obliquus cells could be clearly demonstrated. Of physiological characteristics, we recorded the frequency of cells with a reduced number of autospores, the length of the lag phase and cell survival. Of genetic responses, the frequencies of delayed lethal and sublethal effects, the frequencies of minute colonies, colonies with big cells and scabby colonies, and the frequencies of pigmentation changes were followed. The above concentration produced no toxic effect. No simple and clear-cut correlation was found between the recorded responses and the amount of accumulated radium in algal cells. For an interpretation of the mutagenic effect we had to assume a homogeneous radioactive irradiation of the mixed cell suspension. We had also to take into account the participation of repair systems of algae with regard to their survival or manifestation of mutagenic changes in individuals in which mutagenesis had been induced.
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009154:Mutation; D011883:Radium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014873:Water Pollutants; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D011883:Radium