GROWTH RESPONSE

Hydrogen peroxide is increasingly found in our environment as a byproduct of both natural processes and industrial activities. Its accumulation in our environment has resulted in hydrogen peroxide pollution, altering aquatic ecosystems and inducing oxidative stress in living organisms. This study evaluated the effects of Hydrogen peroxide on two freshwater microalgae specie; Scenedesmus sp. and Chlamydomonas sp. for 14 days under various concentrations (control, 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%) of Hydrogen peroxide and absorbance was measured using a visible spectrophotometer at 750nm. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, dissolved oxygen and conductivity were analyzed using standard methods. Statistical analysis (two-way ANOVA, paired t-test descriptive statistics) was done using Microsoft Excel. Results showed that Hydrogen peroxide had a dose dependent effect on Scenedesmus and Chlamydomonas. A comparison of the growth response of both microalgae showed that Scenedesmus had a higher tolerance to hydrogen peroxide than Chlamydomonas, recording peak growth and a higher growth at 25% concentration while Chlamydomonas experienced peak growth at 25% concentration but a lower growth compared to Scenedesmus. The results revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in growth and physicochemical parameters studied across concentrations of Hydrogen peroxide except on the growth of Scenedesmus sp