Investigating the effect of different concentrations of copper on microalgae density Isochrysis galbana in laboratory condition

Phytoplanktons are considered to be important resources in terms of the production of organic materials, and being in the base of food pyramid. In this study, the toxicity of heavy metal "Copper" at different concentrations (500, 250, 100, 50, 5 and 0 μg / L) on the growth of I. galbana microalgae was evaluated in three replicates in a period of 15 days. The highest growth rate and chlorophyll a content was obtained at concentration of 5 μg/L, but concentrations of 500 and 250 μg/L of copper significantly inhibited the growth of I. galbana and reduced the chlorophyll content. Also, the results showed that low concentrations of copper increased the protein content, but high concentrations caused a decrease in protein content of I. galbana.