Abstract
The littoral macroalga Enteromorpha prolifera was sampled along the Scheldt estuary at Lillo (Belgium), Bath and Ellewoutsdijk (SW Netherlands). The algae were incubated in water from the same locations with salinities of 7, 14 and 23%, at about 50 μmolquanta m−2 s−1 irradiance and 15 °C. One series of cultures was exposed to 400 nm Cd, a second series served as a control. Temporal changes in cadmium, copper, iron, lead and zinc contents of E. prolifera were monitored with atomic absorption spectroscopy in a 21 day experiment. Both synergistic and antagonistic metal interactions became evident in response to cadmium uptake. During the first 8 days of incubation iron contents increased in both cadmium-exposed and control algae. However, iron contents were relatively higher in cadmium-exposed algae. Similar, but weaker synergisms were also found between lead/cadmium and coper/cadmium. Zinc contents decreased in controls and cadmium-exposed algae, but were significantly lower in cadmium-exposed algae. A distinct antagonism between cadmium and zinc was observed in cadmium-exposed algae.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Bryan CW, Langston WJ. 1992 Bioavailability, accumulation and effects of heavy metals in sediments with special reference to United Kingdom estuaries: a review. Environ Pollut 76, 89–131.
Eide I, Myklestad S, Melsom S. 1980 Long-term uptake and release of heavy metals by Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) le Jol. (Phaeophyceae) in situ. Environ Pollut A 23, 19–28.
Haritonidis S, Jager HJ, Schwantes HO. 1983 Accumulation of cadmium, zinc copper and lead by marine macrophyceae under culture conditions. Angew Botan 57, 311–330.
Haritonidis S, Nikolaidis G. 1989 Cd and Zn uptake in macrophyceae from Greek coasts. Biol Met 2, 235–238.
Ho YB. 1990 Ulva lactuca as bioindicator of metal contamination in intertidal waters in Hong Kong. Hydrobiologia 203, 73–81.
Kabata-Pendias A, Pendias M. 1985 Trace Elements in Soils and Plants. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Luoma SN, Bryan GW, Langston WJ. 1982 Scavenging of heavy metals from particulates by brown seaweed. Mar Pollut Bull 13, 394–396.
Malea P. 1992 Accumulation of metals in marine phanerogams and macroalgae of the Antikyra Gulf (Viotia, Greece). PhD Thesis, University of Thessaloniki (in Greek with English summary).
Malea P. 1993 Seasonal variation and local distribution of metals in the seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Försk.) Aschers in the Antikyra Gulf, Greece. Environ Pollut, in press.
Malea P, Horitonidis S. 1989 Uptake of Cu, Cd, Zn and Pb in Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile from Antikyra Gulf, Greece. Preliminary note. Mar Environ Res 28, 495–498.
Malea P, Haritonidis S. 1993 Distribution and seasonal variation of Fe. Pb, Zn, Cu, Na, K, Ca and Mg concentrations in the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Aschers in the Antikyra Gulf, Greece. PS2N Marine Ecol, in press.
Rijstenbil JW, Haritonidis S, Van Drie J, Malea P, Wijnholds JA. 1993 Interactions of copper with trace metals and thiols in the macroalgae Enteromorpha prolifera (O. F. Mull) J.Ag., grown in water of the Scheldt estuary (Belgium & The Netherlands). Sci Total Environ, in press.
Say PJ, Burrows IG, Whitton BA. 1990 Enteromorpha as a monitor of heavy metals in estuaries. Hydrobiologia 195, 119–126.
Seeliger U, Cordazzo C. 1982 Field and experimental evaluation of Enteromorpha sp as a qualiquantitative monitoring organism for copper and mercury in estuaries. Environ Pollut A 29, 197–206.
Strickland JDH, Parsons TR. 1968 A practical handbook of seawater analysis. J Fish Res Bd Can 167, 1–311.
Van den Berg GMG, Duursma EK, Merks AGA. 1987 Organic complexation and its control of dissolved concentrations of copper and zinc in the Scheldt estuary. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 24, 785–797.
Wahbeh MI. 1984 Levels of Zn, Mn, Mg, Fe and Cd in three species of seagrasses from Aqaba (Jordan). Aquat Bot 20, 179–183.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haritonidis, S., Rijstenbil, J.W., Malea, P. et al. Trace metal interactions in the macroalga Enteromorpha prolifera (O. F. Müller) J.Ag., grown in water of the Scheldt estuary (Belgium & SW Netherlands), in response to cadmium exposure. Biometals 7, 61–66 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00205196
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00205196