Determination of Toxic Effects of Copper in Navicula cryptocephala var. veneta by Biomarkers and Bioaccumulation Quantification

As a result of the increased use of metals such as copper (Cu), copper pollution in the environment is also increasing. In order to investigate the effect of copper mixed into the water environment and on aquatic biota, the microalga Navicula cryptocephala var. veneta was chosen as a model organism. N. cryptocephala var. veneta it was aimed to determine the accumulation and elimination amounts and some biomarker responses. Metal accumulation amounts in the organisms used in the study. The amount of metal accumulated in relation to the wet weight mass of the samples was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectophotometry (AAS) mass spectrometry. In the bioassays conducted within the scope of the study, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activity and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity were determined with an ELISA microplate reader at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours. According to the study data, it was observed that Cu metal accumulated in Navicula cryptocephala var. veneta and caused oxidative stress in the organism, affecting the organism by causing changes in TBARS, GSH levels and antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx activities. Additionally, it was observed that different elimination levels occurred in the application groups.