Exploration of the phycoremediation potential of Laminaria digitata towards diflubenzuron, lindane, copper and cadmium in a multitrophic pilot-scale experiment

- Pesticides and toxic elements did not affect the physiological status of macroalgae.
- Diflubenzuron levels decreased 70% in mussels after 120 h exposure in presence of algae.
- L. digitata was not efficient in reducing lindane, Cu and Cd in mussels.
- Algae reduce lindane, Cu and Cd up to 4, 33 and 42% in water, respectively.
- Macroalgae are an excellent mitigation tool to reduce contaminant levels in aquatic environments.

The presence of contaminants in aquatic ecosystems can cause serious problems to the environment and marine organisms. This study aims to evaluate the phycoremediation capacity of macroalgae Laminaria digitata for pesticides (diflubenzuron and lindane) and toxic elements (cadmium and copper) in seawater in the presence or absence of mussels. The photosynthetic activity was monitored in the macroalgae to assess its “physiological status”. The results showed that the presence of algae decreased diflubenzuron concentration in mussels by 70% after 120 h of exposure. Additionally, this macroalgae was efficient to reduce lindane, Cu and Cd in seawater; even though it not was able to reduce these contaminants in mussels. The studied pollutants did not affect the physiological status of macroalgae. This study reveals that the application of phycoremediation with macroalgae can be an useful and effective mitigation strategy to remove/decrease contaminant levels from the aquatic environment.