Scytosiphon Iomentaria (Phaeophyta) as an Indicator of Heavy-Metal Contamination of Sea Waters

Abstract. The brown alga Scytosiphon lomentaria is discussed as a possible indicator of heavy-metal contamination of marine coastal waters. A comparison with other brown algae shows that a strong development of the specific surface of S. lomentaria thallus increases the ability of accumulating suspended iron and lead from ambient waters. The paper presents the results obtained from several localities in the Sea of Japan. Scytosiphon has an advantage over other indicator species used in the monitoring of sea heavy-metal contamination due to its virtually “cosmopolitic” distribution.