| Abstract Detail
Phycological Section Chaudhuri, Anish [1], Mitra, Madhumi [2]. Seaweeds as Biomonitors of Heavy Metals in the Delmarva Peninsula. The usefulness of seaweeds as biomonitors of heavy metal pollution in the coastal bays of the Delmarva Peninsula is highlighted in this study, conducted in early spring 2006. Heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems can pose a major environmental concern impacting various life-forms in the system. Lack of any preexisting data on metal loads in Delmarva seaweeds and in the ambient medium (water and sediments) led to this pilot study for preliminary investigations on the ecological health of these coastal bays. The seaweed species collected from three different sites of the Delmarva Peninsula were: phaeophytes Fucus vesiculosus, and Fucus gardneri, chlorophytes Ulva lactuca, and Enteromorpha intestinalis, and rhodophyte Gracilaria tikvahiae. The sampled seaweeds, seawater, and sediments were subsequently analyzed for chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, lead, arsenic, and zinc. The results exhibited high concentrations of Mn and low concentrations of Cu in almost all the species. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) in Ulva lactuca and Fucus vesiculosus, across sites, were similar (though the orders of magnitude varied) for Cu, Zn, and Ni. Calculation of Metal Pollution Index (MPI) and Tomlinson Pollution Load Index (PLI) displayed that all the three sites had low contamination with respect to the metals investigated. The results of these indices agreed well with the EPA water quality criteria guidelines, indicating the effectiveness of the indices used. Both Ulva lactuca and Fucus vesiculosus seem to be good bio-monitors of copper, zinc, nickel, and cobalt.
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Natural Sciences, Carver Hall 2108, 1, Backbone Road, Princess Anne, MD, 21853, USA
2 - University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Natural Sciences, Backbone Road, Princess Anne, Maryland, 21853, USA
Keywords:
Biomonitoring
Seaweeds
Heavy Metals.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: CP35
Location: Lake Michigan/Hilton
Date: Tuesday, July 10th, 2007
Time: 4:15 PM
Number: CP35002
Abstract ID:1069 |
