Abstract
The effects of various environmental factors on Zn65 uptake and loss were investigated in benthic algae. Increasing the pH promoted Zn65 uptake and retarded Zn65 loss in Ulva lactuca, Porphyra umbilicalis, and Laminaria agardi. A similar pH dependency was displayed by killed algae of the same species which in all cases absorbed more Zn65 than the live seaweed. The addition of carrier zinc to natural sea‐water wash solutions had little effect on the rate of Zn65 loss from radioactive algae. Increasing the temperature of the wash resulted in a slight increase in the rate of Zn65 loss. Polarographic determinations of the natural zinc content of algae were made. Fucus had the highest zinc concentration, 829 mg/kg dry wt, while Porphyra showed the lowest, 123 mg/kg.Exposure to light stimulated both the uptake and loss of Zn65. Uptake was retarded by two inhibitors, uranyl nitrate and phenylurethane. The biological half‐life of Zn65 in algae in the light and in the dark was estimated. Fucus showed a much higher retention of Zn65 than either Porphyra or Ulva. The effects of photosynthesis‐related pH changes on both metabolic and non‐metabolic uptake mechanisms are considered.
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