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Review and Research Results
Marine Macroalgae in Polar Regions as Natural Sources for Volatile Organohalogens
Frank Laturnus
Corresponding author:: Frank Laturnus, Risø National Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology and Biogeochemistry, PBK-124, PO Box 49, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark (Present address: Laboratory for Material Science, University of Copenhagen, Symbion Science Park, Fruebergvej 3, DK-2100
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2000.09.041
--- Marine macroalgae species from the polar regions were
investigated for their importance as natural sources of volatile
halogenated compounds released into the biosphere. Several different
halogenated C 1 to C 4 hydrocarbons were identified and
their release rates determined. The compounds contained mainly
bromine and iodine, and form was the dominant compound
released. Although an annual atmospheric input of approximately
10 8 -10 10 g bromine and 10 7 -10 8 g iodine was calculated
from the release rates, marine macroalgae are apparently not
the major source on a global scale, as the release is up to four
orders of magnitude lower than a presumed annual flow from
the oceans. Despite this, macroalgae may be more important on
a local scale due to their occurrence at a high biomass in the
coastal regions. The present paper gives an overview about studies
done on the release of volatile halocarbons by macroalgae
from polar regions. Furthermore, the function of these compounds
in the macroalgal metabolism is discussed. | | Keywords: algal metabolism; bromoform; marine macroalgae; methyl halides; polar regions; volatile halocarbons |
8 ESPR (2) 103-108 (2001)
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