Abstract

SANCHEZ-SAAVEDRA, M. del Pilar; VOLTOLINA, Domenico; SIMENTAL, Jorge  and  CARBAJAL-MIRANDA, Miriam Jazmín. Removal of epiphytes of the kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) Agardh using different biocides. Hidrobiológica [online]. 2008, vol.18, n.2, pp.99-104. ISSN 0188-8897.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of some biocides for the removal of epiphytes from the blades of the kelp Macrocystis pyrifera. The lowest initial removal was with 1% KMnO₄ and with the water purifier Fit®, but both gave better results in the long term. The treatments with distilled and tap water, which avoid the use of biocides, gave a better than 75% reduction of the epiphytes and had a long-lasting effect. In addition, the photosynthetic activity of the controls was similar to that of these two treatments. This confirms that a simple immersion in freshwater may achieve a good initial removal of epiphytic diatoms and prevent their subsequent growth.

Keywords : Epiphytes removal; Macrocystis pyrifera; Navicula incerta.