TRACE METAL REDUCTION BY PHYTOPLANKTON: THE ROLE OF PLASMALEMMA REDOX ENZYMES

Gary J. Jones, Brian P. Palenik, François M.M. Morel

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Abstract

The phytoplankton cell surface reduces external copper(II) and iron(III) complexes and redox dyes. This reductive activity appears to be mediated by one or more plasmalemma redox enzymes. Trace metal complexes are directly reduced by the redox enzyme, therefore the reduction rate is not regulated by the metal free ion activity in solution. This is in direct contrast to previous measurements of trace metal interactions with the phytoplankton cell membrane. Half‐saturation constants for the reduction of Cu(II) complexes with carbonate, phenanthroline and bathocuproinedisulfonate are in the range 2.3–14.7 μM, which suggests that trace metal complexes are not the main electron acceptor in natural waters. In the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii there is additional reductive activity associated with the cell wall.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)237-244
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Phycology
Volume23
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1987

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aquatic Science
  • Plant Science

Keywords

  • Dunaliella tertiolecta
  • Hymenomonas carterae
  • Thalassiosira weissflogii
  • copper
  • iron
  • plasmalemma redox enzymes
  • reduction kinetics
  • trace metals

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