Uptake of metals by live green macroalgae Ulva reticulata in industrial wastewater of Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia

This study was conducted to investigate the ability of Ulva reticulata (Chlorophyta) to remove Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mg, Pb, V, and Zn from industrial wastewater. A 24 h experiment was performed under laboratory and in situ conditions, which were set up in two places: (1) the industrial area in Bayan Lepas and (2) the coastal area close to Jerejak Island. The initial amounts of metals in U. reticulata were ranked as follows: Mg > Fe > Zn > Mn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Co > Cd = Pb > V. However, after exposure to the experimental conditions for 24 h, the sequence amounts of the metals in the tissue changed. Fe showed the highest uptake in situ with a maximum uptake of 869.0 ± 84.1 μg g−1 dw. Mg demonstrated the maximum uptake in the laboratory, which was 487.8 ± 130 μg g−1 dw. Cd presented the lowest uptake under both in situ and laboratory conditions, which was 0.04 ± 0.027 μg g−1 dw. The uptake capability of U. reticulata depended on the metal concentration in water and under experimental conditions. Overall, this study revealed that U. reticulata can improve the quality of water discharged from industrial areas.