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Poster Contributed Presentation

MSPEC

Sunday Student Poster Presentations

S3 - Analysis of metal uptake in algae cells via single cell - inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (SC-TOF-ICP-MS)

Sunday, October 5, 2025
7:15 PM - 9:15 PM EDT
Location: Ballroom C
In fifteen words or less, explain the significance of this contribution (Novel Aspect).:

SC-ICP-TOF-MS detection capabilities are characterized to detect both carbon and heavy metals in algae.

Abstract Text:

Single cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SC-ICP-TOF-MS) is an analytical technique that can be used to identify elemental and isotopic information within individual cells. Cells can be measured discretely via SC-ICP-TOF-MS, with approximate diameters ranging up to ~10-20 µm. Potential applications include the analysis of elemental distributions in microorganisms such as microalgae (e.g., Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) after exposure to heavy elements such as uranium or other radionuclides. Understanding the transport of radioactive elements in microalgae is useful, as this knowledge can potentially be extrapolated to understand radionuclide transport in ecosystems at a larger scale. Additionally, these green microalgae are model organisms due to their durability and ease of growing. Polystyrene beads (4 µm) were initially studied with the aim of matching the organic elemental composition and density of cells. These beads were used for instrument calibration / tuning, and ultimately to determine the detection limit for carbon. Lastly the algae were characterized via SC-ICP-TOF-MS in which, addition to C, other endogenous elements including Mg, Mn, and Fe were detected. Various uptake studies were completed and demonstrated the applicability of employing SC-ICP-TOF-MS to detect the metal (e.g., Ce, U) of interest present with the single algae cells. This study shows that application of SC-ICP-TOF-MS to microalgae can provide a more detailed schematic of the radionuclide distribution in single cell populations, which is relevant to nuclear nonproliferation, waste cleanup, and environmental remediation.