<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Heavy metals are major stressors for benthic macroalgal communities in marine ecosystems. In this study, the effects of copper and cadmium on some physiological parameters along with antifouling defense of the marine macroalga <italic>Ulva reticulata</italic> were assessed under laboratory conditions. Macroalgal samples were treated with three concentrations (1 mg l−1, 3 mg l−1 and 5 mg l−1) of copper and cadmium for 2 and 7 days. After treatment, algal samples were analyzed for chlorophyll-<italic>a</italic>, carotenoid, total polyphenol and total antioxidant capacity. Also, algal extracts were tested against biofilm-forming bacteria strains to understand differences in antifouling activity. The results indicated that exposure of <italic>U. reticulata</italic> to copper and cadmium, on the one hand, induced protective mechanisms such as total phenol production and antioxidant capacity against metal stress and, on the other hand, reduced photosynthesis. While the extract obtained from control algal samples showed a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of biofilm-forming bacteria, treatment with heavy metals resulted in reduced antibiofilm activity. In general, the results revealed that exposure of macroalgae to heavy metals can affect antifouling defense traits in addition to changes in photosynthetic pigment content.
</abstract>

Heavy metals are major stressors for benthic macroalgal communities in marine ecosystems. In this study, the effects of copper and cadmium on some physiological parameters along with antifouling defense of the marine macroalga Ulva reticulata were assessed under laboratory conditions. Macroalgal samples were treated with three concentrations (1 mg l−1, 3 mg l−1 and 5 mg l−1) of copper and cadmium for 2 and 7 days. After treatment, algal samples were analyzed for chlorophyll-a, carotenoid, total polyphenol and total antioxidant capacity. Also, algal extracts were tested against biofilm-forming bacteria strains to understand differences in antifouling activity. The results indicated that exposure of U. reticulata to copper and cadmium, on the one hand, induced protective mechanisms such as total phenol production and antioxidant capacity against metal stress and, on the other hand, reduced photosynthesis. While the extract obtained from control algal samples showed a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of biofilm-forming bacteria, treatment with heavy metals resulted in reduced antibiofilm activity. In general, the results revealed that exposure of macroalgae to heavy metals can affect antifouling defense traits in addition to changes in photosynthetic pigment content.

Effects of copper and cadmium on physiology and antifouling defense of the marine macroalga <italic>Ulva reticulata</italic>

Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Effects of copper and cadmium on physiology and antifouling defense of the marine macroalga 

Heavy metals are major stressors for benthic macroalgal communities in marine ecosystems. In this study, the effects of copper and cadmium on some...

Effects of copper and cadmium on physiology and antifouling defense of the marine macroalga Ulva reticulata

Article Category: Original research paper

Published Online: Jun 05, 2021

Page range: 184 - 197

Received: Oct 02, 2020

Accepted: Dec 15, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/oandhs-2021-0017

Keywords
marine pollution, heavy metals, antifouling, antioxidant activity, antibiofilm, seaweed, Red Sea

© 2021 Wejdan Ahmed Al-Khaldi et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Effects of copper and cadmium on physiology and antifouling defense of the marine macroalga Ulva reticulata

Article Category: Original research paper

Published Online: Jun 05, 2021

Page range: 184 - 197

Received: Oct 02, 2020

Accepted: Dec 15, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/oandhs-2021-0017

Keywordsmarine pollution, heavy metals, antifouling, antioxidant activity, antibiofilm, seaweed, Red Sea

© 2021 Wejdan Ahmed Al-Khaldi et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
marine pollution, heavy metals, antifouling, antioxidant activity, antibiofilm, seaweed, Red Sea