Effects of various concentrations of copper in solid fibrous form and methylglyoxal (MG) on phosphorus uptake and growth change of green algae Scenedesmus obliquus were studied. There was significant differences among cultures treated with various concentrations of copper and MG in growth of algae with parameters of cell numbers, photosynthetic rate and cellular morphology, and phosphorus uptake by cell. When the copper in media is treated with 25 mg or 50 mg per 100 ml of Bristol solution, the mean cell number of algae was 15.642${ imes}$10$^$6/ cells$.$ml$^$-1/ and 12.986${ imes}$10$^$6/ cells$.$ml$^$-1/, respectively, while those of algae in culture without copper was 18.486${ imes}$10$^$6/ cells$.$ml$^$-1/. The mean cell area of 2450 ${mu}$m$^2$, 1894 ${mu}$m$^2$and 1697 ${mu}$m$^2$in basic media, basic media with 25 mg of copper and basic media with 50 mg of copper was showed the inhibitory effect of copper on algal growth. The algal growth was stimulated by MG when the culture was treated with 25 mg of copper or without copper, while it was inhibited when the culture was treated with 50 mg of copper. It was considered that there was significant interaction between copper and MG on algal growth. The phosphorus concentration in algal medium treated with 25 mg or 50 mg of copper was 29.435 ppm and 26.224 ppm, respectively, while those of algae in culture without copper was 52.8 ppm, which shows that the application of copper in algal medium can prevent the availability of phosphorus to algal cell.