2010/09/02 > eTech France 245 > Diatoms as Indicators of Metallic Pollution in Waterways?

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		Innovation News Diatoms as Indicators of Metallic Pollution in Waterways? http://www.bulletins-electroniques.com/actualites/64303.htm Thousands of species of diatoms can be found in waterways. The microscopic unicellular algae react to organic and industrial pollution. Today they are used as biological indicators for the quality of aquatic environments under the implementation of the European Water Directive. CEMAGREF scientists in Bordeaux, who have been studying diatoms for years, were actively involved in developing the Diatom Biological Index (DBI). They have discovered that diatoms also react to metallic pollutants, especially to highly toxic cadmium. A modification in the percentage of diatom species in a given population, or deformations in their silica-based skeleton have been observed. The responses of diatoms in contact with metallic pollutants are being studied for a de-pollution project at an industrial site in the Aveyron département where zinc ore, in which cadmium can practically always be found, was formerly mined. The Bordeaux CEMAGREF researchers would like to see if the diatoms recover their initial structure and if the species sensitive to metallic pollution return to the site as it is gradually decontaminated. To that end, Adeline Arini who is doing her doctoral thesis within the Geochemistry and Ecotoxicology of Metals in Aquatic systems (GEMA) team is conducting tests. They involve placing diatom biofilms from contaminated waterways in a channel of cadmium-free water to see if the diatoms return to their normal morphology, to analyze the damage to diatom colonization and measure the time required to restore the environment effectively. Test results will clear the way for assessing the relevance of the microscopic algae as indicators of metallic contamination in aquatic environments.	>> Suivant << Précédent Version imprimable >> Transmettre cette info par email >> Recommander ce site à un collègue / ami >> S'abonner au eTech France >> FAQ / foire aux questions >> Conditions d'utilisation >>


	Pour en savoir plus, contacts :	CEMAGREF/Bordeaux 1 University - Geochemistry and Ecotoxicology of Metals in Aquatic Systems Team (Géochimie et Ecotoxicologie des Métaux dans les systèmes Aquatiques, GEMA) - Adeline Arini - Phone: +33 (0)5 56 22 39 30 - email : adeline.arini@etu.u-bordeaux1.fr	Code brève ADIT : 64303

	Rédacteur :	ADIT - Jean-François Desessard - email: jfd@adit.fr


	Origine :	eTech France numéro 245 (2/09/2010) - ADIT / ADIT - http://www.bulletins-electroniques.com/actualites/64303.htm

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