Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2004
DOI
10.4319/lo.2004.49.4.1115
Publication Title
Limnology and Oceanography
Volume
49
Issue
4
Pages
1115-1122
Abstract
Cultured marine microorganisms under copper stress produce extracellular compounds having a high affinity for copper (copper-complexing ligands). These ligands are similar in binding strength to those found in natural waters, but few studies have examined the relationship between copper, copper-complexing ligand concentrations, and natural microbial populations. A series of in situ experiments in the Elizabeth River, Virginia, revealed that an intact estuarine microbial community responded to copper stress by production of extracellular, high-affinity copper-complexing ligands. The rate of ligand production was dependent on copper concentration and resulted in a reduction of the concentration of free cupric ions, Cu2+, by more than three orders of magnitude during a 2-week period in one experiment. We believe that this interactive response to copper stress represents a feedback system through which microbial communities can potentially buffer dissolved Cu2+ ion concentrations, thereby regulating copper bioavailability and toxicity.
Rights
Web of Science: "Free full-text from publisher."
Original Publication Citation
Dryden, C. L., Gordon, A. S., & Donat, J. R. (2004). Interactive regulation of dissolved copper toxicity by an estuarine microbial community. Limnology and Oceanography, 49(4), 1115-1122. doi:10.4319/lo.2004.49.4.1115
Repository Citation
Dryden, Christina L.; Gordon, Andrew S.; and Donat, John R., "Interactive Regulation of Dissolved Copper Toxicity by an Estuarine Microbial Community" (2004). OES Faculty Publications. 304.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/oeas_fac_pubs/304