ABSTRACT.The combined action of cadmium and selenium was investigated in two unicellular marine phytoplankton organisms,Prorocentrum micansEhrbg. andCrypthecodinium cohniiBiecheler, in culture. When present simultaneously in low concentrations, the toxicity of Cd and Se is decreased (antagonism) whereas if one of these elements is present at high concentration, especially for a long period, their toxicity is increased (synergism) more than if they were separate. This interaction affected cell organelles in the following ways: vacuolation, development of chloroplast pyrenoids, and elicitation of lipid vesicles, starch vesicles, giant mitochondria, and lysosomes. Possible competition between these two elements for binding sites is discussed.