DNA barcoding of marine macroalgae as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution

Abstract

Metal pollution in the marine coastal environment is an important topical issue. In this study, the water quality in five locations along the Alexandria coast (Eastern Harbor, El-Tabia pumping station, El Mex Bay, Sidi Bishir, and Abu Talat) was assessed by measuring physicochemical parameters from water samples. Depending on the morphological classification of macroalgae, the collected morphotypes were related to Ulva fasciata, Ulva compressa, Corallina officinalis, Corallina elongata, and Petrocladia capillaceae. Corallina officinalis and Corallina elongata demonstrated a high capacity for Cd, Pb, and Ni accumulation, and the highest values of Fe, Cu, and Mn were reported in Ulva fasciata and Ulva compressa. Two standard markers were applied, and results showed that the morphological classification matched the molecular data. Moreover, the analysis of algae can only reflect the accumulation of metals. The conclusion is that Ulva compressa and Corallina officinalis are potentially suitable indicators of localized short-term heavy metal pollution.

Keywords: Egyptian Mediterranean Sea- physicochemical parameters- heavy metals- accumulation- macroalgae - DNA barcodes; rbcL and COI.