ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Effect of Toxic Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green
Algae) on Water Plants and Animal Cells
1. Z. Romanowska-Duda, 2. J. Mankiewicz, 3. M. Tarczynska,
1. Z. Walter, 3. M. Zalewski
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1. Department of Plant Growth Regulation
2. Department of Molecular Genetics
3. Department of Applied Ecology
University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2002;11(5):561-566
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The eutrophication of the Sulejów reservoir dam in Poland is connected with the problem of toxicity of
cyanobacterial blooming (blue-green algal blooming). The main species responsible for hepatotoxic ”algal
bloom” formation is Microcystis aeruginosa. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of the toxic
cyanobacterial extract containing microcystins on the growth and morphology of a water plant (Spirodela
oligorrhiza) and animal cells (rat hepatocytes). A higher concentration of cyanobacterial extract (MC-LR
= 343 µg/dm3) reduced the number of fronds by about 50% in comparison with the control. The extract
affected the reduction mass of fronds and the concentration of chlorophyll. The activity of the constitutive
acid phosphatase decreased. The first morphological changes in rat hepatocytes typical of apoptosis were
observed after 30 minutes of incubation with the cyanobacterial extract. The hepatocytes underwent cell
membrane blebbing (MC-LR = 100 µg/dm3). The next 30 minutes of incubation caused an increase in the
percentage of deforming cells of more than 50% (MC-LR = 100 µg/dm3). High chromatin condensation and
apoptotic bodes were observed in 90% of cells after 120 minutes (MC-LR . 500 µg/dm3). The results of
studies confirm the high toxic and cytotoxic effect of blue-green algal blooming from Sulejów reservoir on
both plants and animals.