The influence of osmotic shocks on the growth rate and chlorophyll-a content of planktonic algae species

Abstract

The effect of salinity changes on the growth responses and chlorophyll-α content of four species of planktonic algae (Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Tetraselmisgracilis, Minutocelluspotymorphus, Chaetoceros sp) was evaluated using a batch culture technique. P. tricornutum, showing high values of maximum growth rate (div d-1) over the entire salinity range, revealed a great capability of metabolic adjustment when subjected to osmotic shocks. T. gracilis, M. polymorphus and Chaetoceros sp were able to displace the salinity optimum related to the maximum growth rate, depending on the preconditioning salinity. The four studied species showed oscillations of specific growth rate (div d-1) and chorophyll-α content (pg cell-1) related to light-dark cycles.