Author(s)

Mazen A. Al Solami

Department of Biology, Environmental Research Unit, College of Haql, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, KSA.

Aquatic plants are always exposed to various types of stresses and the marine algae have been considered as useful bioindicators for detecting different kinds of environmental alterations. Present investigation was carried out to test the comparative response of red algae (Gracilaria salicornia and Digenea simplex) and green algae (Enteromorpha compressa and Sargassum muticum) to the contaminants present in their surrounding growth medium. The results of the study show that the studied macroalgae responded differently in terms of physiological and biochemical parameters. Green algae exhibited higher concentration of Chl a, b, total chlorophyll content and Chl a:b ratio and carbohydrates content. Whereas, red algae showed higher content of carotenoids, phycocyanin and phycoerythrin and protein content. Moreover, red algae G. salicornia and D. simplex showed lower level of hydrogen peroxide content and TBARS and higher values of proline and glycine betaine content and activities of antioxidant enzymes viz. superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase than the green algae. Taking all these together, it can be concluded that red algae possess strong defense system than the green algae. Among the studied species, red algae G. salicornia was found best in having a stronger defense system.

Algae, Antioxidant Enzymes, Contaminants, Osmolytes, Photosynthetic Pigments

Al Solami, M. (2020) Comparative Response of Red and Green Algae to the Quality of Coastal Water of Red Sea, Haql, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Environmental Protection, 11, 793-806. doi: 10.4236/jep.2020.1110049.