Physiological responses of Fucus serratus (Phaeophyceae) to high doses of cadmium exposure

Abstract

Growth, oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity of Fucus serratus exposed to high doses of Cd were examined. Two sites in Southwest England (Restronguet Point and Bantham Quay) were selected since they had different histories of metal contamination. 1~10 mg Cd were treated to Aquil medium for up to 14 days. Similar levels of lipid peroxidation but different values of relative growth rates, cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging capacity indicated that F. serratus has population-dependent antioxidant strategies. F. serratus demonstrated cadmium resistance with no visual symptoms for 14 days and the population from the polluted area seemed to have more powerful antioxidant strategies. However Fucus from the conserved area also showed protective anti oxidative mechanism.