The influence of pH and media composition on the uptake of inorganic selenium by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The uptake of inorganic selenium species, selenate and selenite, by the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dang was examined as a function of pH over the range 5 to 9 and in media with varying concentrations of major ions and nutrients using 75Se as a radiotracer. Little difference was noted in the uptake of selenate as a function of pH, with the maximum uptake occurring at pH 8; however, selenite uptake increased substantially at the lower pH values. Selenate uptake was significantly decreased by higher sulfate concentrations and increased significantly by calcium, magnesium, and ammonium. Selenite uptake was significantly increased when the phosphate concentrations in the media were reduced. The results of these experiments demonstrate that varying water chemistry may significantly affect the uptake of inorganic selenium by phytoplankton and the subsequent transfer of the selenium to higher trophic levels.