Voltammetric Characterization of Macroalgae-Exuded Organic Ligands in Response to Metal Exposure

Abstract

Trace metal availability, and hence toxicity, is largely dependent on metal speciation. It is well established that in seawater complexation by organic ligands dominates the speciation of most metals including Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Recent marine studies on microorganisms suggest ligands are biologically produced. There are few studies on macroalgal ligand production.

The aim of this thesis was to investigate seaweeds as a source of naturally occurring organic ligands and to investigate metals as stimuli of their release. Voltammetric techniques were employed to measure the release of metal-complexing ligands by three brown macroalgae common in Irish waters.