Does macroalgae uptake heavy metals?

Nerdist Aquarist

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Does anyone know if cheato or macroalgae in general uptake heavy metals? I know it will uptake Iron, but I also seem to have higher than desired levels of nickel, zinc and aluminum based on several ICP tests.

I know I can run absorption media like Cuprisorb. Just considering a more natural alternative such as macroalgae, which I know has other benefits too.
 

ReefEco

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Yes - it can. Hard to know how much it can uptake, or if it can be an effective "filter" for heavy metals. Those elements in ChaetoGrow might be a good guide as to what it uptakes at a significant rate.
 
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Nerdist Aquarist

Nerdist Aquarist

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Yes - it can. Hard to know how much it can uptake, or if it can be an effective "filter" for heavy metals. Those elements in ChaetoGrow might be a good guide as to what it uptakes at a significant rate.
That's a clever way of thinking about it! Brightwell does list iron, zinc and nickel in the ingredients.
 

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Yeah - funny there was just an article I read about adding algae into your diet as a source of trace elements, with caveats specifically about metals, sourcing, etc. https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/21/health/eat-more-seaweed-wellness/index.html There's been lots of stuff in the last decade about processed kelp as the next superfood, since it grows SO fast and is pretty nutritious..
 

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