Undaria pinnatifida and Macrocystis pyrifera from San Jorge Gulf (Argentina) as indicators of toxic metals

SALOMONE VANESA NATALIA; RIERA MARINA

International Journal on Algae

Begell House

Año: 2021 vol. 23 p. 281 - 292

1521-9429

Metals, due to various anthropogenic and natural sources, can be introduced into environment. Macroalgae can accumulate metals from the seawater. Chemical content was determinates in samples of two seaweeds (Undaria pinnatifida and Macrocystis pyrifera) and seawater from San Jorge Gulf (Patagonia, Argentina) in order to evaluate its role as a bio-indicator. Based in results on metals level and bioconcentration factor, Macrocystis pyrifera is a good biomonitor of arsenic and Undaria pinnatifida is better biomonitor of cadmium. However, both species accumulate preferment As instead Cd, Hg or Pb. Besides, significant relationships between As/P concentrations for M. pyrifera and As/Fe values for U. pinnatifida were found. Therefore, arsenic uptake would occur by different pathways. The translocation factor of arsenic and cadmium was calculated to U. pinnatida and results show that reproductive parts of alga accumulate more amount of metal than their vegetative structures. Chemical content analysis showed a similar relationship between Ca/Sr and Rb/K concentrations in both algae, indicating the same ratio of these elements in seawater from San Jorge Gulf. In conclusion, macroalgae have been shown to be efficient in providing environmental information.