[Action of cadmium on a free dinoflagellate Prorocentrum micans E: growth, cadmium absorption and cell modifications]

The study of the growth of Prorocentrum micans E. submitted to sublethal doses of cadmium demonstrated a high sensitivity of this Dinoflagellate to the polluant starting with concentration of 5 microgram/l. The uptake of cadmium was measured by pulse polarographic analysis of the filtered culture medium. Structural modifications, not apparent in living cells, are visible after fixation. The high sensitivity of Prorocentrum micans to cadmium, also its easy culture, makes it a suitable pollution indicator of this heavy metal.