The brown alga Lobophora variegata, a bioindicator species for surveying metal contamination in tropical marine environments

摘要: Abstract Uptake and depuration kinetics of Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni Zn were determined in the brown alga Lobophora variegata exposed to realistic concentrations these metals, using highly sensitive radiotracer techniques. The experiments designed assess possible influence varying dissolved metal on capacity bioconcentration retention alga. Results indicate that takes up Ni, direct proportion their ambient over entire range tested (three orders magnitude). In contrast, Mn was taken its concentration only a 2 magnitude (up 250 ng L − 1 , i.e. 4.55 nM), then at higher accumulation efficiency slightly decreased. Overall, L. appears be reliable bioindicator species shows rapid response time uptake (uptake rate constants ranging from 60 1,023 d ) has suitable potential furnish valuable information bioavailable contamination levels occurring New Caledonian areas affected by land-based mining activities. Furthermore, due wide geographical distribution, could considered as useful for surveying many other tropical areas.