Trace Metals Uptake by Algae Species in Contaminated Water in Some Industrial Areas in Omdurman City, Sudan

This research aimed to estimate the uptake trace metals (TMs) by the algae species which grow inside contaminated water in streams originating from some industrial areas in Omudrman city in Sudan. It also aimed to verify the possibility of making use of this phenomenon in bioremediation of environmental pollution. The flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to evaluate the concentration of the selectedt metals in waste water and algal biomass of the phyla Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Euglnophyta and Bacillariophyta. The TMs studied in waste water and algal biomass were Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, and Cr. The physical parameters studied were pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of waste water. The study covered during dry and rainy seasons 5 sites in Omdurman industrial area. Samples were collected, and digested in conc. acids mixture of 3:1 of HNO3 and HClO4 and analyzed for trace metals concentrations. The algal biomass was found to be more efficient for TMs uptake and accumulation. The phytoremediation by the mentioned algal biomass is a promising technique for the removing the TMs considered in the present study.