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ABSTRACT
This research work was aimed at comparing growth rates of algal species obtained from a fish pond and fresh water environment and the bioremediation potential of the blue green alga Microcystis aeruginosa. The standard culture medium was the Chu #10 modified medium and the entire experimental set ups did not exceed twenty-one days. The test alga was subjected to growth in medium with varying concentrations of both petrol and kerosene. Algal growth was determined by measuring the optical density of the inoculated medium at three days intervals using a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 750 nm. The effect of the hydrocarbons on algal growth was either stimulatory or inhibitory depending on the concentration. The inhibitory effects of the hydrocarbon increased with increasing concentrations. Comparatively, petrol had more inhibitory effect than kerosene which did not appreciably alter the growth either at lower or higher concentrations. The inhibition of Microcystis aeruginosa in the hydrocarbons (petrol and kerosene) could be due to the fact that M. aeruginosa is a prokaryote without nuclear membrane. The result of the experiment could be used in managing the environment through pollution control, pollutant standardization and waste-water management.
