TRACE-METAL DISTRIBUTION IN MARINE-ALGAE OF VISAKHAPATNAM, EAST-COASTOF INDIA

Marine algal species (24) representing Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rho dophyta were analysed for trace metals Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd. Metal contents in the algae varied with the species, family and class, location and ambient medium. Green algae concentrate more trace metal s than the brown or red algae. Based on the accumulation factors, Ente romorpha compressa has been identified as suitable indicator of trace metal (Cr, Zn and Cd) pollution in the region. Accumulation factors of trace metals in seaweeds showed significant inverse relation with the ir residence times in seawater indicating their dependence on the geoc hemical reactivity. On the other hand, they showed significant positiv e correlations with ionic potential, ionisation energy and electronega tivity suggesting that the biochemical reactivity of the elements in s eaweeds follow their chemical periodicity.