Growth, Population Size Structure, Physiological Changes and Ultrastructureof the Microalga Picochlorum maculatum (Chlorophyta) Under SublethalCopper Concentrations
This study examines the effect of copper (100 and 200 µg/L) on the cell number dynamics, cell size and ultrastructure, chlorophyll a fluorescence, mitochondrial membrane potential, and neutral lipid content in the microalga Picochlorum maculatum (Chlorophyta) during a 7-day exposure. The addition of copper led to the inhibition of population growth; the cell size and ultrastructure remained unchanged. The fluorescence of chlorophyll a was lower than in the control throughout the experiment; the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased on the third day, and it was recovered on the seventh day. The neutral lipid content decreased and did not reach the control level at the end of the experiment.