The Effects of Some Trace Metals on Marine Phytoplankton

Water pollution by mercury, cadmium, lead, and copper is currently recognized as a persistent and increasing environmental problem. Popular treatment of trace metal pollution problems, particularly mercury pollution, has raised the general awareness of such problems. There is still, however, relatively little information available on interactions of trace metals with microbiological populations at environmentally encountered levels. The present review is directed towards examining some trace metal effects on marine phytoplankton. The end in view is to provide a basic perspective on these trace metals as one group of materials with a potential to interfere with marine productivity.