Accumulation of copper, lead, manganese and iron by field populations of Hydrodictyon reticulatum (Linn.) Lagerheim.

The potential of 'water-net' Hydrodictyon reticulatum to accumulate copper, lead, manganese and iron was determined in seven polluted water bodies having different physicochemical characteristics. The lead accumulation was linearly related with ambient concentration whereas in case of copper, manganese and iron it was maximum at lowest ambient level of metals. Investigations on response of alga to various concentrations of test metals under single metal treatments revealed that the algal cells are saturated at high equilibrium concentration of greater than 0.5 (lead), greater than 2.5 (copper and iron) and greater than 5.0 (manganese) mg/l. Alkaline pH favoured accumulation of these metals under field conditions. Alga showed high concentration factor (Cf) for all the metals both under field and laboratory conditions. However, Cf value was higher in case of manganese and iron in natural populations. Results indicate the possibility of using this alga in waste water treatment programmes.