Analysis of intracellular copper ions content and distribution in algae by gold nanorods method

A novel approach was introduced for detection of copper ions presented in microalgae cells using gold nanorods (GNRs) and for determination of factors affecting the migration of copper ions between water and microalgae cells. It was feasible to detect the copper ions in algae cells (in both intracellular and extracellular fluids) by gold nanorods and investigate the migration mechanism of copper ions in algae cells. That pH of water environment had influenced the migration process. The copper ion concentration had a significant impact on the transition process. When the pH equals 7.1, the copper ion concentration reached its highest value in the microalgae cells. The combination of copper ions with microalgae cells and the binding mechanism were investigated that copper ions and microalgae cells were both related to organic functional groups appearing around the surface of microalgae cells. The binding sites of copper ions and algal cells are amino, hydroxyl and carboxyl groups that had significant impact on the metal migration.