Trace metal distribution in marine algae of Visakhapatnam, east coast of India

Abstract

Marine algal species (24) representing Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta were analysed for trace metals Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd. Metal contents in the algae varied with the species, family and class, location and ambient medium. Green algae concentrate more trace metals than the brown or red algae. Based on the accumulation factors, Enteromorpha compressa has been identified as suitable indicator of trace metal (Cr, Zn and Cd) pollution in the region. Accumulation factors of trace metals in seaweeds showed significant inverse relation with their residence times in seawater indicating their dependence on the geochemical reactivity. On the other hand, they showed significant positive correlations with ionic potential, ionisation energy and electronegativity suggesting that the biochemical reactivity of the elements in seaweeds follow their chemical periodicity.