Effects of Bioabsorption of Chromium and Lead on Cyanobacterial Species (Spirulina subsalsa Oersted ex Gomont and Calothrix marchica Lemmermann)

The bioabsorption potential of two cyanobacterial species namely, Spirulina subsalsa and Calothrix marchica were tested against chromium and lead toxicity under laboratory conditions. Both the cyanobacterial species were grown in culture condition and treated with various concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8 mg/l) of chromium and lead. Parameters like -specific growth rate, chlorophyll, carotenoids and protein contents were also analyzed to study the effects of these heavy metals. Specific growth rate, chlorophyll, carotenoids and protein contents gradually decreased with increasing concentration of these two heavy metals. Atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis also revealed that both the species had bioabsorption potential, but Calothrix marchica had better absorption ability than Spirulina subsalsa against both chromium and lead salt treatment.