The effects of synthetic detergents and soap on algal growth and physiological activities were studied using a freshwater alga,
C. pyrenoidosa and a marine alga,
T. pseudonana. The tested synthetic detergents inhibited completely the growth of both algae at concentrations above 10 mg/l (as surface-active agent). The tested soap inhibited the growth of
T. pseudonana at a concentration of 100 mg/l. The growth of
C. pyrenoidosa was not influenced by the soap. The synthetic detergents decreased the photosynthetic activity, ATP content and chlorophyll a content of both algae, especially those of
T. pseudonana at concentrations above 10 mg/l. The soap increased the activity and contents of
C. pyrenoidosa, but it gave inhibitory effects on those of
T. pseudonana at a concentration of 100 mg/l. The mechanism of this inhibition seemed to be different from that of inhibition by the synthetic detergents. The characteristic differences between the algae were consequently suggested. The phosphate-containing and phosphate-free synthetic detergents showed the same inhibitory effects as LAS.
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