PRESENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF BROMINE IN THYSANOCLADIA DENSA (SOLIERIACEAE,GIGARTINALES), A MARINE RED ALGA FROM THE GREAT BARRIER REEF1

Electron-probe X-ray microanalysis of freeze dried sections of growing branch tips of Thysanocladia densa Sander shows high concentrations of bromine in the region of the medulla. Indirect evidence infers that the Br is associated with intercellular, granular deposits which accumulate within the mucilage of the medulla. The concentration of Br decreases in older regions of the thalli.