Abstract
This study investigated the changes in bioaccumulation, bioabsorption, photosynthesis rate, respiration rate, and photosynthetic pigments (phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin) of Sarcodia suiae following cadmium exposure within 24 h. The bioabsorption was significantly higher than the bioaccumulation at all cadmium levels (p < 0.05). The ratios of bioabsorption/bioaccumulation in light and dark bottles were 2.17 and 1.74, respectively, when S. suiae was exposed to 5 Cd2+ mg/L. The chlorophyll a (Chl-a) concentration, oxygen evolution rate (photosynthetic efficiency), and oxygen consumption rate (respiratory efficiency) decreased with increasing bioaccumulation and ambient cadmium levels. The levels of bioaccumulation and bioabsorption in light environments were significantly higher than those in dark environments (p < 0.05). In addition, the ratios of phycoerythrin (PE)/Chl-a, phycocyanin (PC)/Chl-a, and allophycocyanin (APC)/Chl-a were also higher in light bottles compared to dark bottles at all ambient cadmium levels. These results indicated that the photosynthesis of seaweed will increase bioaccumulation and bioabsorption in a cadmium environment.
Highlights
Red seaweed Sarcodia suiae grows in the intertidal or subtidal zone, and is widely distributed throughout Indo-western Pacific regions, including Taiwan and Japan
Our result indicated that the bioabsorption was significantly higher than the bioaccumulation at the same ambient cadmium levels
This study showed the bioabsorption and bioaccumulation of cadmium were related to seaweed’s photosynthesis
Summary
Red seaweed Sarcodia suiae grows in the intertidal or subtidal zone, and is widely distributed throughout Indo-western Pacific regions, including Taiwan and Japan. The Sarcodia family includes species such as S. montagneana and S. ceylanica [1,2]. The large red algae S. suiae is available in all seasons and widely commercially cultured in Taiwan. Human activity has significantly affected the distribution of heavy metals in the environment, including air, water, and sediment. Some heavy metals are essential elements for life, such as copper, zinc, and nickel, since they are important catalysts for enzyme metabolism [5]. Some heavy metals are nonessential elements for life but are toxic such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. Nonessential and toxic heavy metals are not broken down by aquatic microorganisms
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