Soil treated with different concentrations of copper (75, 160, and 190 mg/kg soil) and cadmium (4, 8, and 10 mg/kg soil) had assessments for their effects on the growth of algae (Cladophora and Spirogyra). Soil treated with copper (190 mg/kg) and cadmium (10 mg/kg) has shown a significant impact, decreasing the dry weight of Cladophora (1.600 and 0.353 mg) and Spirogyra (1.500 and 0.189 mg). Chlorophyll a and b content also expressed decreased with copper application to the soil at 190 mg/kg. Cladophora and Spirogyra algae had concentrations of 0.082 and 0.007 mg/g fresh weight, respectively. In algae Cladophora, the cadmium (10 mg/kg soil) levels reached 0.073 and 0.008 mg/g of fresh weight, while Spirogyra had concentrations of 0.013 and 0.011 mg/g. In the nutrient concentration status of cladophora, soil treatment with cadmium (10 mg/kg) was the most beneficial for phosphorus, chloride, and sodium levels (0.170, 0.010, and 0.010 mg/g, respectively). Similarly, the phosphorus and sodium concentrations had declined with copper treatments in algae spirogyra (0.150 and 0.040 mg/g, respectively), while chloride concentration reduction was by cadmium (10 mg/kg soil).
Algae Cladophora and Spirogyra, chlorophyll a and b, cadmium, copper, phosphorus, chloride, sodium, growth traits
Soil treated with heavy elements has significantly decreased the fresh and dry weights of the algae Cladophora and Spirogyra. Observations also found that chlorophyll a and b, and chloride, sodium, and potassium levels, had decreased.