The capacity of Ulva australis Areschoug to tolerate and accumulate selenium (Se) supplied in the form of selenate or selenite was investigated. The macroalga was provided for 3 and 7 days with concentrations of selenate (Na2SeO4) or selenite (Na2SeO3) ranging from 0 to 400 μM. U. australis exhibited the highest ability to accumulate selenium when fed with 100 μM selenate and 200 μM selenite after 7 days, and accumulation values were respectively 25 and 36 ppm Se. At the same concentrations, stimulation of the synthesis of chlorophylls and carotenoids was observed. Elevated doses of selenate or selenite decreased Se accumulation inside algal cells, perhaps through repression of membrane transporters. This effect was more pronounced in thalli cultivated with selenate. There were no morphological and ultrastructural alterations in thalli exposed to Se. However, selenite induced the increase of the oxidized fraction of glutathione (GSSG), perhaps because of its capacity to bind the thiol group of reduced glutathione (GSH). In conclusion, this study highlights the capacity of U. australis to resist to very high concentrations of selenite and selenate, which are normally toxic to other organisms. Also, the lack of bioconcentration in U. australis indicates that this alga does not facilitate delivery of Se in the food chain and remains safe for consumption when it grows in water bodies contaminated with Se. Its potential for the removal of excess Se from water bodies appears limited.
Keywords: Glutathione; Selenate; Selenite; Sulfur; Ultrastructure; Ulva australis.