Recovery of uptake and assimilation of nitrate in Scenedesmus sp. previously exposed to elevated levels of Cu2+ and Zn2+

A study of the effects of elevated levels of Cu2+ and Zn2+ on NO3− uptake and nitrate reductase (NR) activity in Scenedesmus sp. was carried out. The two metals inhibited NR and NO3− uptake in a concentration-dependent manner, with the latter process being inhibited more strongly than the former. After withdrawal of metal stress, NR activity and NO3− uptake recovered in a metal ion concentration-dependent manner. Dark pretreatment of the alga enhanced the toxic effects of the metal ions on NR activity and NO3− uptake. The recovery from metal stress was slower in the dark-pretreated cells in comparison to the light-pretreated cells. No recovery of NR and NO3− uptake occurred in the presence of the photosynthetic inhibitor, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), suggesting that photosynthesis was required for the recovery from metal stress. Cycloheximide blocked the recovery of NR activity in metal-treated alga, suggesting that new enzyme synthesis was required for the recovery from metal stress.