Cystoseira phytocenosis as a biological barrier for heavy metals and organochlorine compounds in the SPNA Cape Martyan marine area (the Black Sea)

Abstract

The aim of the study was the assessment of Cystoseira phytocenosis role as a biological barrier in cleaning of seawater in the SPNA Cape Martyan marine area against its pollution with heavy metals (HM: V, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Hg, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Pb) and organochlorine compounds (OCC: DDT, DDE, DDD, ΣDDT, PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 180). It was deduced that the significant role of Cystoseira phytocenosis in extraction of HM (from 9 to 99%) and of OCC (from 55 to 96%) from the aquatic environment is determined by its high specific biomass (up to 4.6 kg⋅m−2) and accumulating ability against pollutants with concentration factors of n×(102÷105) for HM and n×(102÷103) for OCC. Resulting from the Cystoseira production processes, extraction of pollutants from biotope by the algae amounted to 0.1÷967.6 kg⋅y−1 for HM and 0.044÷8.360 g⋅y−1. It was shown that the most optimal way of recreational zones quality management regarding marine environment pollution factor is the maintenance of the coastal Cystoseira phytocenoses and taking of measures increasing their dispersion and production indices.