Metal content of Klebsormidium-dominated (Chlorophyta) algal mats from acid mine drainage waters in southeastern Ohio

Mats of the green alga, Klebsormidium rivulare (Kuetz.) Morison et Sheath. were collected from five acid mine drainage (AMD) seeps and streams in sout heastern Ohio on two separate occasions. In order to better understand the relationship of metals in algae. ambient water and soil samples. samples we re analyzed for concentrations of aluminum, iron, zinc and manganese. For e ach of the tested metals. there was a significant difference among the conc entrations in algal mats. water, and sediments. For aluminum. iron and mang anese, the median concentration of metals in the algal samples was highest, but whether water or sediment bad more. varied among metals. The median co ncentration of zinc in sediment was greatest followed by the algal samples and water. The median iron content of the algal samples and water were posi tively correlated but aluminum contents in the algal samples and water were negatively correlated. The metal accumulating capacity of algal mats from AMD generated by coal mining is similar to results obtained for algae from other types of mining operations. Results, of this study suggest that snaps hot studies of Klebsormidium-dominated algal mats may be a good indicator f or iron concentration in water but not for Content of aluminium. zinc or ma nganese.