Toxic effects of HgCl2 on the growth and oogonium formation in Oedogonium hatei

The effect of mercuric chloride on the germination and growth of swarmers and subsequent induction of oogonia was studied in Oedogonium hatei Kam. (Oedogoniales, Chorophyceae). HgCl2 within the concentration range of 0.01 to 1.0 mg/l produced a progressive increase in the initiation of germination and reduction in the growth of the alga. The percentage of oogonia formed, and mature oogonia developed, decreased linearly with a rise in the concentrations of HgCl2 employed. The results showed that 1 mg/l HgCl2 was highly toxic to the growth and/or multiplication of zoospores and further development of sexual structures in O. hatei. The germination of zoospores and growth of germlings were so severely affected that induction of oogonia remained completely inhibited at 1 mg/l HgCl2. Moreover, 2 mg/l of HgCl2 was lethal to the asexual zoospores.