Effects of Glucose Concentrations on Cadmium, Copper, Mercury, and Zinc Toxicity to a Klebsiella sp

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The influence of glucose concentration on Cd, Cu, Hg, and Zn toxicity to a Klebsiella sp. was studied by following the degradation of 14C-labeled glucose at pH 6.0. Uptake of 14C into the cells was also determined. The carbon concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 40 mg liter−1, which are equivalent to soluble C concentrations in natural environments. The toxicity of Cu, Cd, and Zn to a Klebsiella sp. was affected considerably by the C concentration. Copper at 10−5 M was toxic when the carbon concentration was 10 or 40 mg liter−1, while at 0.01 to 1.0 mg liter−1 no toxicity was observed. Cadmium and zinc were toxic at 10−2 M in media containing 0.01 to 1.0 mg of C liter−1. At C concentrations greater than 1.0 mg liter−1, the inhibition of glucose degradation and carbon assimilation was observed at 10−3 M Cd and Zn. The toxicity of mercury seemed to be independent of the C concentration. Results of this study showed that the nutritional state of an organism may have a profound effect on its sensitivity to metals. Metals taken up by an energy-driven transport system may be less toxic under conditions of C starvation. The C concentration should be taken into account when evaluating results from toxicity studies, especially as most microorganisms in nature live under energy-limited conditions.

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