Elemental Composition of the Algae Spirogyra (Zygnematophyceae, Charophyta) from the Littoral Zone of Lake Baikal

Abstract

ICP-MS method was used to study the elemental composition of benthic Baikal algae and algae of the genus Spirogyra, excessive growth of which was registered within the last decade in the littoral zone of Lake Baikal. The distribution of chemical elements in Spirogyra algae (Spirogyra “morphotype 1”) dominating stony littoral locations is as follows: Na ~ K ~ Ca ~ S ~ Ba > Mg ≥ P > Mn ≥ Cl) and Spirogyra spp. from tributary streams, shallow coves and bays with soft bottom grounds—Na > K ≥ Ca ~ S ~ P ~ Ba ≥ Mg, Cl > Mn. Spirogyra algae were characterized by higher content of Li, Na, Mn, Ba and atypical ratio of element concentrations: Na > P, Na ≥ K and Ca, Mn > Fe, Ba ~ Ca and S, Ba > Sr compared to benthic Baikal algae. Maximum total content (∑С) of all detectable elements, ∑С Na Mg P S Cl Ca Li Al Si Mn Zn Ba, ∑С Na Cl P Mn are typical Spirogyra “morphotype 1,” dominant on littoral areas located in the vicinity to sources of heaviest wastewater emissions. Overgrowths of other Spirogyra species, capable of accumulating larger amounts of Li, Na, Cl, Br than Spirogyra “morphotype 1” are also confined to such pollution sources.