Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
Metal mobility and toxicity to microalgae associated with acidification of sediments: CO2 and acid comparison
M R De Orte1, A T Lombardi2, A M Sarmiento3
1Departamento de Química-Física, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, UNESCO/UNITWIN Wicop, Polígono Río San Pedro s/n, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
Abstract:
The injection and storage of CO2 into marine geological formations has been suggested as a mitigation measure to prevent global warming. However, storage leaks are possible resulting in several effects in the ecosystem. Laboratory-scale experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of CO2 leakage on the fate of metals and on the growth of the microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Metal contaminated sediments were collected and submitted to acidification by means of CO2 injection or by adding HCl. Sediments elutriate were prepared to perform toxicity tests. The results showed that sediment acidification enhanced the release of metals to elutriates. Iron and zinc were the metals most influenced by this process and their concentration increased greatly with pH decreases. Diatom growth was inhibited by both processes: acidification and the presence of metals. Data obtained is this study is useful to calculate the potential risk of CCS activities to the marine environment.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Acid Mine Drainage
Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles
Microbial Corrosion
Marine Microbial Ecology
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
Microbial Leaching

