Biochemical Changes During Lead (Pb) Uptake by the Alga Pithophora

摘要

Current technologies for cleaning heavy metal contaminated sites like electrolytic, chemical leaching and insitu immobilization are all extremely expensive and questionably effective. Bioremediation like the use ofalgal extract, sequester and/or detoxify heavy metals and other pollutants may offer a cost-effective, lessinvasive and potentially more effective means of addressing existing heavy metal contamination than thosecurrently practiced. The alga Pithophora accumulated high amounts of the heavy metal lead. Under simulatedconditions, maximum uptake and bioaccumulation of lead occurred within 6 days. The phytotoxicconcentrations of lead reduced chlorophylls, protein, proline, sugar and catalase content and increased theperoxidase activity in the alga.