This work investigates the concentration of some trace elements in freshwater microalgae ( Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis) through total reflection x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF). Slurry samples were prepared from 3.4 ± 0.5 to 9.8 ± 0.5 mg of freeze-dried algae biomass for direct metals analysis. Gallium was used as internal standard at concentration of 500 µg/L and the solution was mixed for 15 second using vortex. The concentrations of different metals including Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Phosphorus (P), Sulphur (S), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Manganese (Mn) and Iron (Fe) were determined in the ranged 6.8 ± 1.7 – 15709 mg/kg. A similar study investigated the total macro and micronutrient profile Chlorella vulgaris and the published data agree with current study. Statistical analysis shows that only Ba has significant difference between Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis (P = 0.05) The two investigated algal species shows a measurable concentration using TXRF of metals such as manganese, iron, copper, and zinc. TXRF shows good accuracy with ability to determine sample in small quantities (µl) In conclusion, the sensitivity of TXRF technique can also be seen in determining elements with lower atomic number such as Ca, P and K.

Seaweeds readily absorb heavy metals that are present in their environment, because of this; they are an effective way of monitoring heavy metal pollution in an area. The metal that is absorbed can be damaging to the seaweed cell walls. Seaweeds have evolved over time to have excellent antioxidant systems to combat this damage. One antioxidant they produce is polyphenol, a chemical molecule containing many phenol rings that bind to metals and keep them from the damaging the cell walls. They have been shown to be linked to the health benefits of red wine, fruit and vegetables. Samples of different species of seaweed from the Bangor area were collected, processed and analysed for their iron and polyphenol concentrations. Samples were collected from multiple points along the Bangor  coastline,  they  were  dried  and  processed  into  a  fine,  dry  powder.  The iron concentrations were  analysed  by  Atomic  Absorption  Spectroscopy  after  digestion by HNO3. Different species were analysed for the iron and polyphenol content. The whole of the algae was analysed, as well as the nodules and the rest (stipe and blades). The polyphenol concentrations were analysed by a colourimetric assay using the Ragan and Glombitza method and quantified by UV/Vis spectroscopy. Different species were tested in order to see if the concentrations of iron and polyphenol change between species. Different parts of the seaweed were also tested to see where the higher concentrations of the metals were located. Iron concentration statistically significantly changed between all species with the concentrations ranging from 58.0 ± 3.5 mg/Kg to 796.0 ± 10.6 mg/Kg. The Polyphenol concentration changed statistically significantly between some species, but statistically not significant between others. Polyphenol concentration ranged from 63.7 ± 0.3 mg (g dw)-1 to 202.1 ± 6.7 mg (g dw)-1.

The sorption uptake of lead by marine brown alga Fucus spiralis was investigated in bimetallic solutions. The experimental data fitted very well to Langmuir model. In bimetallic systems, the affinity of biomass for lead and cadmium increased and the sorption uptake of these metals was not affected by increasing concentrations. However, in solutions with both metals there was a significant mutual decrease of their sorption levels at high concentrations of the other metal. There is practical removal up to 100 ± 4% for biomass dosage 4.0 ±0.1 g which correspond to lowest adsorbed amount of 0.25 ± 0.1 mg/g. The highest adsorbed value was recorded with biomass dosage 0.25 ± 0.1 g but with the lowest percentage removal of 92.50 ± 6%. In this study at initial metal concentration of 10 mg/L the highest metal removal of 96% was achieved.

Metformin hydrochloride is an anti-hyperglycaemic drug that is widely prescribed in the management of noninsulin diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). However, metformin does not undergo complete metabolism in the body thereby excreting significant amount through urine and eventual discharged into the water bodies. Therefore, this work investigates the possibility bio-sorption of metformin by Fucus spiralis seaweed. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and FITR was used for quantifying metformin biosorption. The result shows that Fucus spiralis is a potential biosbent for metformin removal in aqueous solution. The highest removal was up to 74% at 50 µg/mL. It can be mentioned here that this study is the first of it kind in testing seaweed for metformin biosorption. In conclusion, biomass (Fucus spiralis) was tested for its efficiency in metformin removal in aqueous solution. Adsorption studies revealed that F. spiralis can be used as potential adsorbent for metformin uptake. Very limited literature investigates the application of seaweeds species for pharmaceutical remediation. Remediation of waste and surface water using readily available adsorbent such as seaweed will be useful as it relates to human health and environmental contamination. HPLC was used in this study but other spectroscopic technique such as UV/vis could be explored to ascertain the optimized method. Further studies would be needed to test other algal species for metformin bio sorption.