Fuel oil effect on the population growth, species diversity and chlorophyll (a) content of freshwater microalgae

Fresh water algae were subjected to different concentrations (0.03, 0.07, 0.12, 0.25 and 0.5 g x l(-1)) of aqueous extract of reference fuel oil (EPA, USA, API Oil No. 2, 38% aromatic, 1274). Significant decrease in Chlorophyll. (a) was observed as the concentration of fuel oil was increased. The EC50 value of fuel oil after 7 days was 0.29 g x l(-1). Total algal counts and growth rate decreased in response to the studied fuel oil. High diversity values in diatoms were observed in all treated aqueous cultures. High concentrations of fuel oil significantly decreased carbohydrate and protein contents of algal cells.