Biosorption capacity of genus Dictyota facing organochlorine pesticide pollutions in coastal areas of the Lesser Antilles

Abstract Measurements of chlordecone, an organochlorine insecticide with high persistence in natural environments, have been carried out on several species and genus of macroalgae in Guadeloupe and Martinique. These data were statistically compared to determine the ability of the genus Dictyota to accumulate chlordecone, compared to other collected macroalgae. The comparisons were conducted between phylogenetic groups (Rhodophyta, Phaeophyta and Chlorophyta), and between sites (Guadeloupe vs Martinique). Concentrations of chlordecone measured in Dictyota spp. samples were significantly higher than the other groups regardless to the site. Phaeophytes are generally characterized by a higher capacity for biosorption of contaminants. In this study, however, only the Dictyota spp. samples followed this pattern. Therefore, this genus is of interest in cases of phycoremediation of the chlordecone.