Accumulation, effects on growth, and localization of zinc in Padina gymnospora (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) *

The ability of young plants of the brown alga Padina gymnospora to tolerate and accumulate zinc was determined for different zinc concentrations in seawater over a period of 21 days. This species, among 10 macroalgae species studied in a contaminated coastal area near Rio de Janeiro city, presented the highest zinc contents. The accumulation of zinc by this species determined from in vitro experiments increased approximately linearly with the zinc concentration in the water. A steady state was not reached even for high concentrations (1000 µg 1-1). Analytical electron microscopy techniques used for subcellular localization of this metal showed that the zinc was present as dense granules along the cell walls, starting in a region 15 to 25 cells away from the thallus apex, but being absent in the cytoplasm of viable cells. It is suggested that the cell walls play the main role in the zinc accumulation in Padina gymnospora.