The green seaweed Ulva rigida as a bioindicator of metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) in a low-salinity coastal environment
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Theodora Boubonari
Abstract
The capacity of Ulva rigida as a bioindicator of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd contamination in oligohaline coastal waters was investigated. Metal concentrations in U. rigida, water and sediments and several environmental variables were measured seasonally at four stations in the coastal section of the Evros River Delta, Aegean Sea. All four metals in sediments had a significant local variation; in particular, they decreased with increasing distance from the fluvial end-member of Evros River. Mean Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations in U. rigida were 61.0, 22.4, 6.1 and 1.1 μg g-1 dry weight, respectively. This macroalga, compared to other co-occurring macroalgal species, had a high metal accumulation capacity, mainly of Cu and Cd. Local patterns of Zn, Cu and Pb in U. rigida were similar to those in sediments, while that of Cd was not; moreover, Cu and Pb in U. rigida correlated positively with their sediment contents, suggesting that this seaweed satisfies the basic prerequisite for a bioindicator of these elements in oligohaline environments. No metal in U. rigida displayed a significant seasonal variation, and there was no significant variation in ambient concentrations. A negative correlation between Zn in U. rigida and water salinity was found, probably due to both a higher metal burden in the freshwater flowing in the study area and to a decrease in Zn uptake with increasing salinity; Cd in the macroalga correlated negatively with water column ammonium.
©2008 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
Articles in the same Issue
- Research articles
- Seasonal variability in Dinophysis spp. abundances and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning outbreaks along the eastern Adriatic coast
- Patterns of diversity in rocky subtidal macroalgal assemblages in relation to depth
- The green seaweed Ulva rigida as a bioindicator of metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) in a low-salinity coastal environment
- Effects of salt and light stress on the release of volatile halogenated organic compounds by Solieria chordalis: a laboratory incubation study
- Biological importance of an Atlantic European maërl bed off Benencia Island (northwest Iberian Peninsula)
- A comparative study of Cocconeis scutellum Ehrenberg and its varieties (Bacillariophyta)
- Meetings
- Meetings
- Reviewer acknowledgement Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Reviewer acknowledgement Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Contents index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Contents index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Author index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Author index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Genus/Species index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Genus/Species index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
Articles in the same Issue
- Research articles
- Seasonal variability in Dinophysis spp. abundances and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning outbreaks along the eastern Adriatic coast
- Patterns of diversity in rocky subtidal macroalgal assemblages in relation to depth
- The green seaweed Ulva rigida as a bioindicator of metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) in a low-salinity coastal environment
- Effects of salt and light stress on the release of volatile halogenated organic compounds by Solieria chordalis: a laboratory incubation study
- Biological importance of an Atlantic European maërl bed off Benencia Island (northwest Iberian Peninsula)
- A comparative study of Cocconeis scutellum Ehrenberg and its varieties (Bacillariophyta)
- Meetings
- Meetings
- Reviewer acknowledgement Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Reviewer acknowledgement Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Contents index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Contents index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Author index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Author index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Genus/Species index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
- Genus/Species index Bot. Mar. volume 51 (2008)
