Abstract
Marine macroalgae can accumulate metals from the surrounding waters. But their responses to metals, especially non-essential metals like cadmium, are not well known and require further investigation. Therefore, the effects of cadmium exposure on the physiology and biochemistry of Fucus serratus collected from metal-contaminated (Restronguet Point) and clean (Bantham Quay) habitats were investigated. Although exposed to high concentrations of metal pollution throughout their life cycle, F. serratus from Restronguet Point accumulated similar concentrations of total and non-exchangeable cadmium to those of the reference population from Bantham Quay. Total and non-exchangeable contents of cadmium increased with increasing cadmium concentrations and time of exposure, without demonstrating accumulation limits or any visible signs of stress. More than 50% of total cadmium was accumulated intracellularly in both populations and the avoidance and excretion of cadmium were not demonstrated by this research.
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Date
2009-01-01
DOI
10.24382/4325
Recommended Citation
Lee, S. J. (2009) Physiological and biochemical responses to cadmium exposure in Fucus serratus (Phaeophyceae). Thesis. University of Plymouth. Available at: https://doi.org/10.24382/4325
