Impact of pentachlorophenol on growth and community structure of Nile River water microalgae

Abstract

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was found to induce significant changes in the chlorophyll (a) content, growth rate and community structure of Nile River water microalgae. The bulk of algae was represented by green algae (Chlorophyta), blue-green algae (Cyanophyta) and diatoms (Bacillariophyta). Chlorophyll (a) content of algal cultures decreased by increasing the applied PCP concentration. The specific growth rates of green and blue-green algae, and diatoms reflected the variation in the sensitivity of the algal groups to PCP. Such variations were also manifested in the change in algal counts, diversity and dominance of algal groups.