Metal toxicity in Euglena.

Abstract

Euglena (Div. Euglenophyta) are a fresh-water, mostly free-swimming, cylindrical or ovate alga. Little is known about the effects that high metal concentrations have on these motile microflora. For my experiment I chose to test the effects of differing concentrations of copper and aluminum on samples of Euglena from Bryant's Bog. Studies done on the effects of metal toxicity on Euglena and other algae are few. When the fact is considered that algae account for 25% of all oxygen production on our planet, the importance of these microflora becomes clear. Only by drastically increasing research efforts in this field can we establish a strong foothold on understanding how algae live and the effects that human pollution has on them.