The Influence upon Algal Cells of an Alteration in the Hydrogen Ion Concentration of Sea Water

Abstract

Sea water originally at pH8·2 became as alkaline as pH9·4 by the photosynthetic action of Ulva in removing carbonic acid. This degree of alkalinity did not prove injurious to Ulva, but exposure to it for two and a half hours at 27° C. sufficed to increase the permeability of the superficial cells of Ceramium rubrum irreversibly and fatally. Similar though less rapid changes brought about the death of numerous Vorticellæ epiphytic on Ceramium. The criteria for living cells were permeability to neutral red and impermeability to brom cresol purple. Dead cells do not retain neutral red specifically and are permeable to brom cresol purple.It is suggested that the above facts have a bearing upon the distribution of these and similar algæ upon the shore.