Corallina Mediterranea Research Articles

Pharmacological screening of some Egyptian marine algae and encapsulation of their bioactive extracts in calcium alginate beads

The pharmacological screening of some crude extracts obtained from different marine algae collected from the Mediterranean in Alexandria region in Egypt has been conducted. The methanol, butanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of Pterocladia capillacea, Ulva lactuca and Corallina mediterranea showed inhibitory activity against the growth of Lemna minor plant. The methanol and petroleum ether extracts of Ulva lactuca (VII) exhibited significant antioxidant activity 92.2 and 84.6%, respectively, in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Pterocladia capillacea and Corallina mediterranea showed remarkable inhibitory activity against butyrylcholinesterase. The ether extract of Pterocladia capillacea (III) and the petroleum ether extract of Ulva lactuca (VII) exhibited high antiglycation activity (69.4% and 65% with IC50 of 0.0596 ± 0.0447 mM and 0.138 ± 0.0441 mM, respectively). The ether extract of Ulva fasciata (I) potently inhibited the oxidative burst activity of phagocytes from whole blood analysis (97.99%) at a concentration of 400 µg/mL. Scanning by electron microscope (SEM) showed successful encapsulation of the bioactive algal extracts into calcium alginate beads. Tested marine macroalgae have the potential to produce bioactive metabolites with significant antifungal, phytotoxic, antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antiglycation, and immunomodulating activities.

Polyhydroxyalkanoate nanoparticles produced by marine bacteria cultivated on cost effective Mediterranean algal hydrolysate media

Algae are omnipresent in all seas and oceans, which make thema target for many applications such as bio-fertilizers, fish feeding and removal of heavy metals. In the present study, different algal species were examined as sustainable alternatives substrates for PHA production by Halomonas sp. Several media simulations were utilized to achieve high polymer productivity. The maximum poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) concentrations were determined by using Corallina mediterranea hydrolysates as a carbon and nitrogen source. The isolates Halomonas pacifica ASL10 and Halomonas salifodiane ASL11 were found to be able to produce PHA by 67 % wt and 63 % wt CDW, respectively. PHB nanoparticles (NPs) had high zeta potential values and small particle sizes. These properties make it suitable for several drug delivery and pharmaceutical applications. Interestingly, NPs showed a potent antibacterial activity against several reference strains. The antibacterial efficacy of PHA-NPs has not been previously studied, thus this study opens a promising use of PHA-NPs.

Comparative Study of Nutritional Importance of Some Marine Macroalgae as a Novel Natural Source of Amino Acids

This study aimed to investigate the amino acids contents of some brown (Hormophysa cuneiformis, Sargassum muticum, and Padina minor), red (Digenea simplex, Amphiroa anceps, and Corallina mediterranea), and green macroalgae (Codium elongatum, Ulva fasciata, and Cladophora sp.) collected from the Egypt coasts, using an Eppendorf/Biotronik LC 3000 amino acid analyzer. The results showed that the total amino acid content ranged from 11.84 ± 0.55 mg/g dry weight (DW) in D. simplex to 33.43 ± 1.29 mg/g DW in U. fasciata. Threonine and L-methionine were the major essential amino acids (EAAs) in red and brown macroalgae, respectively, whereas in green macroalgae, the major EAAs varied between macroalgae species as follows: L‑lysine in C. elongatum, L-leucine in U. fasciata, and L-valine in Cladophora sp. L-aspartic and L-glutamic acids together represented a large portion of the amino acid content. The high content of EAAs in all the species under study makes them an important resource for nutritional applications.

The nematicidal potentiality of some algal extracts and their role in enhancement the tomato defense genes against root knot - nematodes

The nematicidal effect of three marine algal, Ulva fasciata Delile (UF) (green algae), Corallina mediterranea, Corallina officinalis (red algae), extracts on egg hatching and second-stage juveniles (J2) mortality of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in vitro compared to the nematicide activity of Oxamyl 24% SL (5 ml/l) was investigated. Results revealed that all treatments at the applied concentrations suppressed the egg hatching in 3 days. In details, the algal strain Ulva fasciata Delile extract showed the highest activity in decreasing the eggs hatchability after 3 days with 87%. Consequently, all treatments significantly increased the mortality of J2 larvae after 12, 24, and 48 h compared to the control treated with distilled water. Under greenhouse conditions, all treatments in inoculated soils cultivated with tomato plants had reduced numbers of galls, egg-masses/plant, and the number of J2/250 g than the non-inoculated soil. The algal extract and the Oxamyl 24% SL (5 ml/l) increased the length and fresh weight of plant shoots and roots than the untreated. However, there were no differences in shoots and roots fresh weights and their lengths in the plant treated with Oxamyl 24% SL (5 ml/l) or the extracts of U. fasciata and Corallina officinalis. These results were closely similar to control. Both of peroxidase and polyphenol enzymes activity for the control plants remained relatively stable, while the activity of the two enzymes in the plant inoculated with the nematode decreased during 2 to 18 day post inoculation (dpi). These activities increased in inoculated plants treated with C. officinalis, C. mediterranea, and U. fasciata extracts and the other plants treated with Oxamyl 24% SL (5 ml/l). The maximum activity of the three enzymes was recorded at 5 dpi after treatment with U. fasciata.

Seaweed Extracts Effectiveness against Selected Gram-negative Bacterial Isolates

Aqueous and six solvent extracts of four seaweeds Codium tomentosum (Chlorophyceae); Corallina mediterranea, Hypnea musciformis (Rhodophyceae), and Sargassum vulgare (Phaeophyceae) were screened for their antibacterial activity against 10 gram-negative bacterial isolates. Seaweeds crude extracts potent antibacterial activity have been evaluated based on zone of inhibition (ZI), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values as reported in manyresearches. Overall, aqueous algal extracts were non active against all tested isolates regardless examined seaweed species. It was noticed that ZIs were in the following order: S. vulgare (17 mm) against Acinetobacter baumannii and C. mediteranea (17 mm) against Salmonella typhimurium > H. musciformis (13 mm) against Escherichia coli O:157 > C. tomentosum (11 mm) against S. typhimurium. Data revealed that the S. vulgare extracts showed the most inhibitory activity by showing the lowest MIC50 value of 0.08 mg/mL (methanolic extract against Shigella flexneri and hexane extract against E. coli O:157 isolate) and also the lowest MBC value of 1.00 mg/mL (methanolic extract against S. typhimurium, Serratia marcescens, E. coli O:157 and Brucella melitensis isolates; and also with ethanolic extract against S. marcescens and E. coli O:157 isolates). Future studies on the S. vulgare extracts are required due to their importance as a potent, promising and cheap source of bioactive compounds for antibacterial pretreatment.

New Remedy to Control Human Skin Fungal Infections by Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized by Two Marine Macro Algae.

FROM Dermatology Department of Tanta University Hospitals during 2016, it was observed that cutaneous fungal infections were more common in patients dealing with indoor closed pipe networks as a water source (recorded in 73 cases), sewage disposal by outdoor conservancy (68 cases), of 2-20 years old (38 cases) and house wives (23 cases). The most common fungal isolates among the studied cutaneous infections were Microsporum canis (21 cases), Malassezia furfur (16 cases), Trichophyton rubrum (11 cases), Candida albicans (9 cases), Epidermophyton floccosum (8 cases) and Candida tropicalis (7 cases); that caused Tinea capitis (29 cases), Tinea unguium (23 cases), Tinea versicolor (16 cases) and Tinea corporis (13 cases). The present study reported an eco-friendly biosynthesis of stable silver nano-particles (AgNPs) by two selected marine algal extracts; which gave a great antifungal activity against the most commonly isolated fungi; that was confirmed by their low MIC values, namely MIC for AgNPs of Corallina mediterranea was 0.25mg/ml against Epidermophyton floccosum, while MIC for AgNPs of C. officinalis was 0.5mg/ml against Candida tropicalis and further elucidated by their destructive effects, as observable thinning of cell wall (as low as 89.1nm in C. tropicalis and 54.9nm in E. floccosum), agglutination of cellular proteins, rupture of cell membrane and leakage of intracellular components, revealed through TEM examinations.

Green Inhibitor as Antibacteria and Antiscaling in Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plants

Today, reverse osmosis membranes are the leading technology for new desalination installations, however, a challenge facing widespread application of RO technology is membrane fouling. In the present study, we used an environmentally friendly green inhibitor as anti-scaling and anti-biofouling in reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants. The influence of Sargassum sp., Corallina mediterranea, and Avicennia marina on RO membrane mineral scaling was evaluated using gypsum as a model scalant. Antibacterial properties for three marine extracts from Sargassum sp., C. mediterranea, and Avicennia marina were investigated with Gram-positive bacteria (ArthrobactersulfureusYACS14, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (VibrioanguillarumMVM425, Escherichia coli). The antimicrobial results were detected for the two selected extracts as the most potent extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol crude extracts of the Avicennia marina leaves). Data showed that ratios of 3 and 5% recorded the highest suppression percentages (100%) for all tested bacteria including bacterial community collected from Eastern Harbor. On the other side, data confirmed that the anti-scalant properties by 100 ppm of Avicennia marina leave extract giving 85% of scale inhibition. The effect of Avicennia marina leaves extract for calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) scaling on selected reverse osmosis (RO) membrane surfaces was investigated. The effect of different concentrations of Avicennia marina leaves extract was observed in the extent of surface scale coverage and surface crystal size among the membrane studied.

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING FOR ANTIBACTERIAL COMPOUNDS OF SOME SEAWEED FROM COASTAL AREA OF ABU-QIR, ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

In this study, antibacterial activities of four seaweeds (Pterocladia capillacea, Corallina mediterranea, Corallina officinalis, and Ulva lactuca) collected from Abu-Qir, Alexandria, Egypt during summer 2016. Their methanol/chloroform extracts were tested against four Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus sp. and Bacillus cereus, and two Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella enterica, Proteus mirabilis). The results revealed that the number of algal extracts inhibited Bacillus cereus. On the other hand, no effect was shown on Proteus mirabilis. The n-Hexadecanoic acid was a fatty acid which recorded as active compound in Pterocladia capillacea extract was characterized by GC-MS analysis.

Temporal variation in chemical composition of Ulva lactuca and Corallina mediterranea

The chemical profiles of green seaweed Ulva lactuca and red seaweed Corallina mediterranea of Egypt were studied. In this investigation, we studied the relation between the nutrient contents of selected species and the environmental changes during four seasons from summer 2016 to spring 2017. Seawater parameters such as pH, temperature and salinity were assessed. The protein contents were ranged between 10.7 ± 0.14 and 23.2 ± 0.1% DW, and the maximum amount was recorded in U. lactuca. Also, highly significant of seasonal changes (p < 0.05) for both studied species was showed in protein contents. Carbohydrate contents of two selected algae varied from 17.2 ± 0.19 to 29.0 ± 0.03% DW, where the C. mediterranea were recorded the maximum amount during spring season. The carbohydrate levels were significantly correlated with the changes in water temperature, pH and salinity at (p < 0.05). Lipid amounts were the minimum listed chemical content and change slightly between two tested seaweeds. The content of ash was greatest in C. mediterranea (39 ± 0.2) than in U. lactuca (25.8 ± 0.2). Both two seaweeds have a large amount of fiber during all seasons. The changes in pigment fractions were positively correlated with the changes in the environmental parameters (temperature, pH and salinity) during the four seasons. Through all studied seasons, U. lactuca was recorded the maximum content of total fatty acids, whereas the unsaturated fatty acids were dominant in C. mediterranea. For both studied algae, palmitic acid was the most fundamental saturated fatty acid and recorded the maximum values. The major component of amino acids was proline in two selected seaweeds, and the maximum values were recorded in C. mediterranea. Generally, the diversity in chemical constitution of two algal species was related to fluctuations of environmental conditions. Principal component analysis of fatty acid composition and amino acid contents of both species indicated that there is a relationship between the ecological variations during the different seasons and fatty acids or amino acids of algal species.

The vertical structure of the vegetative canopy of the brown algae Cystoseira (Black Sea)

In the coastal ecosystems of the Black Sea, macrophytobenthos and, in particular, the association of Cystoseira crinite, C. barbata, Cladostephus verticillatus, and Corallina mediterranea, with its thick vegetative canopy (VC), is the key contributor to primary production (PP). Though the vertical structure of the canopy, formed by the algal association, is of principal importance to the PP level, this subject has been long-neglected by researchers. The goal of our work was to compare vertical structures of the vegetative canopy of Cystoseira brown algae under diverse hydrodynamical conditions of the Crimean Peninsula coast. Samples were collected using the 50 cm×50 cm counting frame at eight stations positioned in shallow (55–60 cm deep) sites of Sevastopol Bay (Crimean Peninsula). Dry weight biomass of the VC was determined for all algae assemblage and for each algal species individually, per horizontal surface unit, at each height (Z). The study shows that: 1) the VC is characterized by unimodal vertical distribution of biomass, with maximum estimate in the lower part, where the biomass increases to 85% of the total biomass; 2) a series of single-peaked curves reliably describes the unimodal distribution of the biomass; thalli of different age groups are found along the canopy profile; and 3) algae found in epiphytic synusia prefer inhabiting the upper part of the VC. The role of environmental factors (seawater turbulence and solar radiation) is discussed in reference to the formation of the vertical structure, made up of the associations of the brown algae Cystoseira.

Variation in biochemical constituents and master elements in common seaweeds from Alexandria Coast, Egypt, with special reference to their antioxidant activity and potential food uses: prospective equations.

Biochemical constituents and master elements (Pb, Cr, Cd, Fe, Cu, Zn, Hg, B, Al, SO42-, Na, K, Li, Ca, Mg, and F) were investigated in six different seaweed species from Abu Qir Bay in the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea coast. The moisture level ranged from 30.26% in Corallina mediterranea to 77.57% in Padina boryana. On dry weight basis, the ash contents varied from 25.53% in Jania rubens to 88.84% in Sargassum wightii. The protein contents fluctuated from 8.26% in S. wightii to 28.01% in J. rubens. Enteromorpha linza showed the highest lipids (4.66%) and carbohydrate contents (78.95%), whereas C. mediterranea had the lowest lipid (0.5%), and carbohydrate contents (38.12%). Chlorophylls and carotenoid contents varied among the species. Total antioxidant capacity of the tested green seaweeds had the highest activities followed by brown and red seaweeds which had a similar trend of phenol and tannins contents. High reducing power was observed in all tested seaweeds extract except Ulva lactuca. Brown species had the highest amount of elements followed by red and green seaweeds. Notably, SO42- recorded the highest level in the tested green species (108.05mg/g dry weight (DW)). The Ca/Mg and K/Na ratios reflected highly significant difference between seaweed species. This study keeps an eye on 29 parameters and by applying stepwise multiple regression analysis, prospective equations have been set to describe the interactions between these parameters inside seaweeds. Accordingly, the tested seaweeds can be recommended as a source of healthy food with suitable ion quotient and estimated daily intake values.

Phytotoxic effects of seaweed mediated copper nanoparticles against the harmful alga: Lyngbya majuscula.

In this study, copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) were synthesized using Corallina officinalis Linnaeus and Corallina mediterranea Areschoug aqueous extracts. Transmission Electron microscope indicated that the biosynthesized Cu-NPs averaged 12.7 nm and 13.6 nm for C. Officinalis and C. mediterranea, respectively. As reported by the FT-IR analyses, the algal extracts contain phyto-chemicals such as proteins, carboxylic acids, complex carbohydrates; these compounds will act as encapsulating agents and be reduced from copper sulphate to Cu-NPs. Energy-dispersive analyses X-ray (EDX) confirmed the copper composition in the synthesized Cu-NPs. The biosynthesized Cu-NPs arrested the growth of Lyngbya majuscula and presented in time and concentration dependent trends. At a concentration of 2 μg/mL, Cu-NPs, synthesized by C. officinalis exerted 85 ± 4% reduction of the algae dry weight. Increasing Cu-NPs concentration led to excellent reduction, which is a very promising result. Cupper-NPs synthesized by C. mediterranea produced moderate effects on L. majuscula. The results also indicated that there were sharp decreases in chlorophyll a content in L. majuscula with the increase in Cu-NPs concentrations. Using 4 μg/mL of Cu-NPs derived from C. officinalis, chlorophyll a decreased by 48 ± 5%. On the other hand, lower reductions in chlorophyll a were recorded upon using Cu-NPs synthesized using C. mediterranea (36 ± 3% and 41 ± 5% reductions at concentrations of 2 μg/mL and 4 μg/mL, respectively). The results of this study suggested that the bioactive and allelopathic compounds derived from the two algal extracts coating the (Cu2+) together with (Cu2+) are responsible for the inhibitive impacts of Cu-NPs on L. majuscula.

Bioactivity and phytochemical constituents of marine red seaweeds (Jania rubens, Corallina mediterranea and Pterocladia capillacea)

Seaweeds are potential renewable resources in the marine environment. The antibacterial activity of Jania rubens, Corallina mediterranea and Pterocladia capillacea were analyzed against human pathogenic bacteria. The present study was performed to investigate the phytochemical constituents of seaweeds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids and phlobatannins. In this study, we estimated phenols, flavonoids, tannins, pigments and mineral contents and determined the hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, reducing power and total antioxidant activity of various extracts of selected seaweeds. Phytochemicals were extracted from the three seaweeds using various solvents, such as methanol, ethanol, acetone and chloroform. Among the various extracts, the methanolic extract was found to have the highest reducing power and total antioxidant capacity. We evaluated the seaweeds against Vibrio fluvialis, and Pterocladia capillacea was the most effective at controlling its growth. The highest zone of inhibition was recorded in the methanol extract. The chemical constituents of the seaweeds were characterized by GC–MS, which showed that they contain organic compounds, such as 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid.

Investigation of the Fatty Acid Profile in Some Macroalgae in Relation to the Environmental Conditions for Biodiesel Production

In this study, fatty acids profile was determined in four algal species; namely Ulva fasciata (Chlorophyta), Corallina mediterranea, Corallina officinalis and Pterocladiella capillacea (Rhodophyta) which were collected from two sites (Abu-Qir Bay and Eastern Harbor) located on the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea during the four seasons in the period (2011-2012). In addition, nutrient content in the algal species (total nitrogen and phosphorus) and the environmental conditions of the ambient sea water were measured to find out their effect on the algal fatty acids content. The nitrogen content in algal species was almost equal in both sites. In contrast, the phosphorus content was higher in Abu-Qir (0.33-1.71%) than in Eastern Harbor (0.21-0.74%). The fatty acids profile showed different correlations with water’s physico-chemical properties. The fatty acids profile of the four algal species revealed high content of SFAs against MUFA and PUFA in both sites. Consequently, the algae were screened to define the suitable site, season and species for the highest quality and quantity of biodiesel production. Biodiesel physical properties; the Degree of Unsaturation (DU), Long Chain Saturation Factor (LCSF), Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP), Iodine Value (IV), Saponification Value (SV), the Cetane Number (CN), Kinematic viscosity (υ), density (ρ), the Higher Heating Value (HHV), C18:3% (wt%) and double bond Db ≥4(wt%) were calculated. All the investigated algae showed biodiesel properties that follow the standard values set for optimum biodiesel, with the green alga U. faciata collected from Abu-Qir during winter, as the best choice for producing biodiesel; whereas, the extracted fatty acids from Corallina officinalis is more suitable to be used for production of blenders, which can be added to the petroleum diesel in order to increase its quality, oxidative stability and octane number.

Ecological Studies of Epiphytic Microalgae and Epiphytic Zooplankton on Seaweeds of the Eastern Harbor, Alexandria, Egypt

A qualitative and quantitative study on the epiphytic microalgae and epiphytic zooplankton were conducted in order to follow up their community structures on seaweeds in relation to some physico-chemical variables in the coastal waters of the Eastern Harbor of Alexandria. Water and macroalgal samples were collected seasonally during two years successively: Winter, summer, autumn (2012) and spring (2013). The collected seaweeds were Ulva fasciata (green alga), Corallina mediterranea, Corallina officinalis, Gelidium sp., Pterocladiella capillacea, Hypnea musciformis and Grateloupia doryphora (red algae). The studied water quality parameters were pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, oxidizable organic matter and nutrient salts. The abundance of epiphytes were significantly different between morphotypes (two-way ANOVA), p≤0.05; ranking the branched thalli as the first preference for microalgal epihytes, sheet-like thalli with a smooth surface as the second one, while the lowest rank was for the mucilaginous species. The same result was found for epiphytic zooplankton. The results of the statistics revealed insignificant seasonal variations in the epiphytic microalgae and very weak correlations between the abundance of microalgae and the physico-chemical parameters. In contrast, there were significant differences for epiphytic zooplanktonic seasonal variations. Whereas, the zooplankton count was correlated preferably with environmental water salinity, followed by nutrients.

Screening of the Antibacterial Activity of Some Marine Algae Against Fish and Human Pathogens

This study aims to investigate the effect of some algal extracts as antibacterial agents against some pathogenic bacteria. Thus the ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of the marine algae Ulva lactuca, Enteromorpha compressa, Ulva fasciata, Pterocladia capillacea, Corallina mediterranea, Hypnea musciformis and Padina pavonia, collected from the coast of Alexandria (Egypt), were tested as antibacterial agents against fish and human pathogenic bacteria; Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio anguillarum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium. The best activities were shown by the methanolic-L extract of P. capillacea against P. fluorescens, V. anguillarum and P. aeruginosa. The methanolic-L extract of U. lactuca showed high activity towards A. hydrophila, V. anguillarum, P. fluorescens and S. aureus. Cluster analysis was used to study the action of the crude algal extracts.

Comparative study of heavy metal distribution in some coastal seaweeds of Alexandria, Egypt

The distribution of Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentration in five algae species (Enteromorpha intestinalis, Enteromorpha linza, Ulva lactuca, Corallina mediterranea, Pterocladia capillacea) collected from three areas having different types of metal contamination along Alexandria coastal waters (Egypt) were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The recovery study was carried out using a Certified Reference Material TORT-2. The obtained heavy metal contents indicate that different species demonstrate various degree of metal accumulation. Enteromorpha intestinalis (green algae) recorded the highest levels of Fe and Mn while Corallina mediterranea (Calcareous red algae) recorded the highest concentration of Pb, Ni, and Cd in the three areas under study. According to the present study, filamentous algae (Enteromorpha intestinalis) showed the ability to concentrate greater amount of trace elements than the foliaceous ones (Enteromorpha linza). In each area, mercury concentration has nearly the same value for all species under study.

Photosynthetic Fluorescence Induction and Oxygen Production in Corallinacean Algae Measured on Site

Abstract:Photoinhibition of photosynthesis was measured in two Mediterranean Corallinaceae, Jania rubens and Corallina mediterranea, using pulse‐amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorescence and oxygen production on site. Both algae were found to be adapted to low irradiances of solar radiation and easily inhibited by exposure to excessive radiation. Both algae were impaired even in their natural habitat under overhanging rocks which protected them from direct solar radiation, except for a few hours in the early morning. Recovery from photoinhibition of both the photosynthetic quantum yield, defined as Fv′/Fm′, and oxygen production took several hours and was not complete. Judging from both parameters indicated above, Jania seems to be even more sensitive than Corallina, even though the former alga was found in more exposed habitats.

Long-chain aldehydes from the red alga, Corallina mediterranea

From the red alga, Corallina mediterranea, collected in the Mediterranean Sea, two unusual aldehydes were isolated, ( E)-2-tridecyl-2-heptadecenal and the new (2 E,4 E)-2-tridecyl-2,4-heptadecadienal. The structure of the new metabolite was proposed on the basis of its spectral data.

Radionuclides in macro algae at Monaco following the Chernobyl accident

Samples of macro algae,Codium tomentosum (green),Corallina mediterranea (red),Sphaerococcus coronopifolius (red) andDictyota dichtoma (brown), were collected off Monaco during 1984 and 1988 and analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides and transuranium elements. Due to the Chernobyl accident, increased radioactivity in the atmosphere at Monaco was recorded on 30 April 1986 with maximal activity concentrations on 2–3 May. The maximal activity concentrations in sea water occurred on 5–6 May and in the algae on 11 May. The decrease of activity concentrations can be described after May 11 as a single exponential relationship, where elimination rates for different radionuclides and different species specific to the environment can be calculated.