Biosensors Based on Micro-algae for Ecological Monitoring of the Aquatic Environment

Abstract

This chapter is devoted to research possibilities of using micro-algae as sensor elements for biological sensors of aquatic pollutants. The characteristics of the fluorescence of microalgae pigments caused by laser light, called laser-induced fluorescence LIF , were used as informative parameters. It is shown that the functioning of biological sensors is determined by the consistency and concentration of micro-algal cells as well as their internal state, which depends on the temperature, illumination, and chemical composition of the water. The results indicate a significant dependence of the LIF intensities of micro-algae from exposure of heavy metal ions, temperature, and illumination. In text is demonstrated specificity of the reaction of various micro-algae, belonging to different phylum. This fact can be used for identify the phylum of micro-algae in situ, and for the creation the biosensors of ecological monitoring aquatic environment.Keywords: laser-induced fluorescence, micro algae phylum, ions of heavy metals, depending on the lighting and temperature, biosensors . IntroductionMonitoring of aquatic environments requires obtained information in real time, long before the appearance of visible signs of pollution, far exceeding the norms of maximum permissible concentrations MPC . In recent years, organisms, which have high sensitivity to adverse factors, are widely studied as bio-indicators for water monitoring. Single-celled organisms including Unicellular microorganisms violation of life appears to change their functioning reversibly or irreversibly. In the latter case usually occur damage cells, typically leading to its destruction. The initial, specific impact of the damaging environmental factor is aimed at very specific molecular structure of the cells. The composition of unicellular organisms mainly includes nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides. "ll these components may be the target for of the damaging action of factors of the environment surrounding the cell. Violation of the functions of these structures causes a cascade of events that ends with response of the cell as a whole system. Thus, it is possible to distinguish several stages cellular response to external adverse impact. "s a rule, at first, there is a nonspecific reaction, typical for any irritations. For most of the cells, there is a change of cell membrane permeability during the action of metal ions [ ] and subsequent activation of intracellular systems aimed at the suppression of stress reactions and stabilization of intracellular metabolism [ ]. For example, in the presence of calcium ions at the initial stage is an activation of different intracellular systems protein kinases, phospholipases, protein biosynthesis systems, phosphodiesterase, cyclic nucleotides, adenylatecyclase, a contractile apparatus of the cell, etc. This is the first, reversible stage when the cell tries to compensate the effect of damaging factors. When the damaging factor is greater or more prolonged exposure, violation of cellular fu...

Влияние меди на численность, морфологию клеток и содержание фотосинтетических пигментов микроводоросли Porphyridium purpureum

“…В прикладных исследованиях эти микроводоросли прежде всего представляют интерес как источники полисахаридов [7] и эссенциальных жирных кислот [4]. Также их предлагают использовать в качестве биосенсоров [25,26]. В связи с этим необходимо всестороннее изучение адаптивных возможностей данных организмов и их отклика на состояние окружающей среды.…”