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The effects of copper sulphate on the cyanobacterium Nostoc ANTH were studied. The copper concentrations chosen for the study were 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/L. From the results, it was observed that removal of Cu2+ ions by the organism was dependent on the external concentrations of Cu2+ ions. Exposure to high concentrations of copper led to severe morphological changes in the cells, which were visible under transmission electron microscopy. Yet, complete elimination of copper from the growth medium led to poor growth, and ultimately the death, of the Nostoc ANTH cells. Cells exposed to low copper concentration (0.5 mg/L) in the medium showed comparable physiological and biochemical activities (such as growth, heterocyst frequency, nitrogenase activity, photosynthesis, and respiration) to that of the controlled cultures. However, these features were compromised as the copper concentration increased in the surrounding.
The authors would like to thank the University Grants Commission, New Delhi for financial support received under a Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship and University with potentials for excellence scheme extended to the School of Life Sciences, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India.