Assessment of Freshwater Alga Maintenance on Ecotoxicity Testing

Nadija Čehajić

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

This bachelor thesis focuses on assessing the validity of two maintenance ways of freshwater algae for ecotoxicity testing. The theoretical part of the work deals with the contemporary standardized testing protocols, taking relevant environmental legislations in consideration. In the practical part, tests on a living free culture and in an alginate immobilized form of freshwater algae Raphidocelis subcapitata (Selenastrum capricornutum) are compared on selected freshwater pollutants. Based on the results from the experimental part, where ČSN EN ISO 8692 methodology is followed, the immobilized algae are more sensitive to potassium dichromate (used as a reference substance) and to triclosan, therefore the alginate immobilized algae cannot replace the living free algal culture when testing triclosan. On the other hand, the immobilized and living free algae have a comparable sensitivity to diclofenac, so the alginate immobilized algae can replace the living free algal culture, but a certain deviation has to be considered. The immobilized algae have a great potential in ecotoxicity testing, however further research should be carried out.

Keywords

Ecotoxicity, Growth inhibition, Pollutant, Water, Validity, Alginate, Alga, Living culture

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 29. 3. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Lenka Wimmerová, MSc. Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Bachelor programme:
Environmental Engineering