Uptake and sorption of aluminium and fluoride by four green algal species.

Background: We examined the uptake and sorption of aluminium (Al) and fluoride (F) by green algae under conditions similar to those found in the effluents of the aluminium industry. We took into account the speciation of Al in the medium since Al can form stable complexes with F and these complexes may play a role in the uptake and sorption of Al. We compared the capacity of four species of green algae (i.