Cadmium−Copper Antagonism in Seaweeds Inhabiting Coastal Areas Affected by Copper Mine Waste Disposals

Abstract

Cadmium and copper accumulation by macroalgae was studied in a coastal area exposed to upwelling events and high levels of Cu, the latter resulting from mine disposals. Eight species were studied, and all had very high concentrations of Cd outside of the Cu-contaminated area. Cu in algal tissues was much higher in contaminated than in reference sites. High Cu appeared to suppress Cd bioaccumulation; Cd in algal tissues was much lower in the Cu-contaminated area than in the reference sites. Transplant experiments with Lessonia nigrescens revealed a depuration of Cd in individuals transplanted to areas with high Cu. However, Cd depuration occurs more slowly than Cu uptake. These differences suggest that while Cd and Cu are linked mechanistically, itis nota simple substitution. Overall, the work confirms that macroalgae are useful indicators of metal contamination and may be used as in situ biomonitors for labile forms of metals, like free Cu2+. However, antagonistic relationships between metals must be clearly understood in order to properly interpret their concentrations in macroalgae.

Freshwater Ulva (Chlorophyta) as a bioaccumulator of selected heavy metals (Cd, Ni and Pb) and alkaline earth metals (Ca and Mg)

“…Other marine populations, including U. compressa and U. lactuca, had Cd concentrations of 7.8 and 5.3 lg g À1 , respectively (Abdallah et al, 2005;Andrade et al, 2006). These observed values of Cd are 40-50 times higher than the concentrations -in samples of the freshwater Ulva thalli (Table A5).…”

Competitive Sorption of Antimony with Zinc, Nickel, and Aluminum in a Seaweed Based Fixed‐bed Sorption Column

“…This indicates an antagonistic effect. Metal antagonism has been observed by a number of authors for other metals [9,11], but not for Sb(III).…”

“…However, only a limited amount of work has been carried out on the characterization of competitive metal biosorption by marine algae, specifically antagonistic and synergistic interactions [9,11]. FTIR and XPS analysis have been used by a number of authors to gain an insight into biosorption phenomena, and to help in the development of potential biosorbents possessing high metal removal capacities [12].…”

Influence of ocean acidification on the complexation of iron and copper by organic ligands in estuarine waters

“…Whereas, no limitation of primary productivity has been reported in open ocean systems as a result of low copper concentrations, a role of copper in iron uptake by phytoplankton and in nitrogen cycling has been proposed (Jacquot et al, 2013;Maldonado et al, 2006;Peers et al, 2005). In contrast, detrimental effects on marine microbial organisms of enhanced copper concentrations have been reported in perturbed estuarine and coastal systems (Andrade et al, 2006;Braungardt et al, 2007). An increase in free cupric ion concentrations due to ocean acidification would have negative effects on marine ecosystems.…”