Trace metals in macroalgae from the qatari coastal water

Abstract EN

-Trace metals, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Cd and Hg were measured in ten species of macroalgae from the Qatari coastal water.

Concentrations in the various species indicate a nonpolluted environment, however, high iron and cadmium concentrations were observed in some species.

Variations of the metal concentrations in the different species are apparently related to the specific accumulation capacity of each particular species, however, intraspecies variations may be appreciable.

Iron was by far the dominant metal in all the species examined and it seems that it may influence the accumulation of the other metals.

High concentration factors were observed by Zn, Cd, Cu and Hg emphasizing the role that macroalgae may play in the biogeochemical cycling of trace metals in the marine environment.