In the coal-mining region of Santa Catarina state, Brazil, the water streams affected by acid mine drainage are inhabited by a few algae groups, including the genera Microspora, Eunotia, Euglena, Mougeotia, and Frustulia. The aim of this work was to study the accumulation of metals by these algal communities (periphyton) and their contribution to water decontamination. The results showed that the algal biomass contains high concentrations of metals, especially iron. The inorganic composition of the biomass correlated with the water chemistry. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.