Original scientific paper

Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals by Green Algae Cladophora glomerata in a Refinery Sewage Lagoon

Eva Chmielewská ; Comenius Universityy Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Ján Medved’ ; Comenius Universityy Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract

Green algae, especially Cladophora species, are generally considered as the best bioindicator of aquatic bodies contamination by nutrients as well as by heavy metals. Therefore, the object of this Study was to investigate to which extent toxic metals (Ni, V, Cd, Pb, Cr) are present in algal biomass and to establish the bioaccumulation coefficients in correlated algae/water environments in a sewage lagoon, which represents the tertiary stage of a refinery waste water treatment plant (Slovnaft, Bratislava). Due to the orographic depression between the Eastern Alps and Western Carpathians and the characteristic atmospheric circulation with predominance of NW wind direction, the deposition of heavy metal aerosols from closed industrial activities is expected to contribute to bioaccumulation capacities of algae for these elements. The water of the refinery sewage lagoon has been monitored for BOD, COD, petroleum hydrocarbons, pH, BTX, halogenated hydrocarbons, some polyaromates, phosphates, ammonium, sulfates and suspended matter. From the viewpoint of heavy metal contents in agricultural composts, a management scenario for algal biomass reutilization, i.e. recycling nutrients and proteins back into the biosphere, via compost processing, is proposed.

Keywords

green algae; Cladophora glomerata; heavy metals bioaccumulation

Hrčak ID:

131783

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/131783

Publication date:

1.2.2001.

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