Effect of Parathion Exposure towards Green Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on the Changes of Physicochemical Parameters in Water



Cheng Wan Hee1, Wong Ling Shing1 and Chong Kah Chi1

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University,

Persiaran Perdana BBN, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

 

Corresponding author: wanhee.cheng@newinti.edu.my

Abstract:Agricultural activities has caused the release of pesticides such as parathion into the environment, which threatened the freshwater ecosystem. Therefore, the objective is to observe for the changes of physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity and dissolve oxygen) caused on Chlorella vulgaris due to parathion exposure. The cell count of C. vulgaris was done using hemocytometer and this alga was exposed to different concentrations of parathion (1.000 mg/L, 0.100 mg/L, 0.001 mg/L, and 0.000 mg/L (negative control)). The values of each parameter were recorded before the exposure and after 1 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours and 24 hours of exposure by using physicochemical parameter. The results showed a fluctuation of all physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen) values in the surrounding water at the first 5 hours of exposure and decreased before reaching a plateau after the fifth hour of exposure. The reason of this phenomenon could be due to the inhibition effects of parathion towards the photosynthesis activities of the algae and thus lowering the physicochemical parameters. Therefore, C. vulgaris serves as a good bioindicator of parathion pollution.

Keywords: Chlorella vulgaris, bio-indicator