Algal and cyanobacterial responses to fluoride

This review deals with the distribution of fluoride tolerance between algae and cyanobacteria, their physiological response differences, and possible mechanisms of action of fluoride in these groups. Algae and cyanobacteria d iffer in their response to fluoride, the latter being more sensitive to flu oride toxicity. The threshold concentration at which toxicity is manifested varies between organisms and is pH dependent. Being a strong hydrogen bond ing species fluoride is capable of interacting with most of the cellular co mponents and thus has a plethora of effects on cell metabolism.