Cookies

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse this repository, you give consent for essential cookies to be used. You can read more about our Privacy and Cookie Policy.


Durham e-Theses
You are in:

Water chemistry and algal phosphatase activity in zinc-contaminated streams

Bellos, D. (1990) Water chemistry and algal phosphatase activity in zinc-contaminated streams. Masters thesis, Durham University.

[img]
Preview
PDF
1836Kb

Abstract

A study was carried out on algal phosphatase activity and water chemistry in zinc-contaminated streams in the Northern Pennine Orefield. Fourteen field sites were studied; They ranged from low contaminated to high-zinc sites (0.1 mg 1(^-1) to 19.4 mg 1(^-1) with 7 of the 14 above 1 mg 1(^-1) Zn). Phosphate concentrations were low in the majority of sites (2.2 µg 1(^-1) to 22.8 µg l(^-1) with 13 of the 14 sites below 7.7 µg l(^-1) TFP and 1.8 µg l(^-1) to 8.5 µg 1(^-1) with 13 of the 14 sites below 4.9 µg l(^-1) FRP). Phosphatase activity was tested over a broad pH range (3.0 -11.0) using at least two different buffers at each pH value. Phosphatase activity of samples tested showed different responses to pH. Most of the samples exhibited enzyme activity in the alkaline range. High phosphatase activity was observed in samples with Mougeotia and Stigeoclonium populations. Possible relationships between phosphatase activity and selected environmental variables were examined. Phosphatase activity was significantly correlated with Zn (+ve), TFP (-ve) and FRP (-ve) in the water. The role of phosphatases in these high-zinc environments is discussed.

Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Award:Master of Science
Thesis Date:1990
Copyright:Copyright of this thesis is held by the author
Deposited On:08 Feb 2013 13:39

Social bookmarking: del.icio.usConnoteaBibSonomyCiteULikeFacebookTwitter