Abstract
Abstract : Concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn were determined in four arcticbrown algae (Laminaria saccharina, L. digitata, Alaria esculenta, Desmarestia aculeata) in an attempt toexamine for their metal accumulation capacity and also to assess their contamination levels. Macroalgaewere collected from shallow subtidal waters (<20 m) of Kongsfjorden (Kings Bay) on Spitsbergen duringthe period of the late July to early August 2003. Metal concentrations highly varied between sampling sites,species and tissue parts. Input of melt-water laden with terrigenous sediment particles seemed to have alarge influence on baseline accumulations of some metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Pb etc.) in the macroalgae, causing asignificant spatial variation. There were also significant concentration differences between the young andold tissue parts in L. saccharina, L. digitata and A. esculenta. While Al, Fe, Mn, Pb were higher in theperennial parts below meristematic region (excluding holdfast), Cd and As concentrations were significantlyhigher in the young blades above the meristematic region. Zn and Cr, on the other hand, showed littledifferences between the tissue parts. The highest metal concentrations were found in D. aculeata, whichseems to be due to its filamentous fine branches leading to high surface/volume ratios. The lowestconcentrations were found in the two Laminaria spp., the blades of which are thicker than D. aculeata andA. esculenta. No distinct signs of contamination were detected in the brown algal species analyzed. Addedto this, the results of the present studies suggest the potential utility of L. saccharina, L. digitata and A.esculenta as biomonitors for metal pollution monitoring in this area.Key words : (brown seaweeds), (Arctic), (Svalbard), (heavy metals), (Kongsfjorden)
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
