Phytotoxicity Assessment of Water Soluble Fraction of Diesel Using a Marine Microalga: Tetraselmis chuii Butcher

Abstract

A study was carried out on the effect of the water-soluble fraction of diesel on the growth of a marine microalga, Tetraselmis chui, using appropriate standard methods. Samples were analyzed before and after the experiment for physicochemical parameters such as temperature, total dissolved solids, pH and conductivity. The results showed that different concentrations of water soluble fraction of diesel affected the growth of the microalga. A comparison of the growth responses of the different treatments showed a significant difference of (p<0.05) with growth stimulated at lower concentrations of, 0% and 10% of the treatment while at higher concentrations, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%, growth was inhibited. There was a significant increase in total dissolved solids, conductivity and pH, while there was a decrease in temperature.