Levels of Some Trace Metals in Macroalgae from the Red Sea in Egypt PDF

Keywords

trace metals, macroalgae, seaweeds, Red Sea

Abstract

The concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) in ten macroalgae species from the Red Sea coastal water varied widely and also the trend of abundance of cach metal also differed from one group to another. Concentration factors varied among species for iron (Fe) copper (Cu) manganese (Mn), but with iron (Fe) showing generally high concentration factors. Highly significant (P<0.05) relationships were found between manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni), and, zinc (Zn) & copper (Cu). Moreover, moderate correlations were observed between manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr), indicating that manganese (Min) is the most accumulated metal in the macro algae of the Red Sea. In spite of the level of trace metals in the macro algae, dominance is moderate relative to other sea areas subjected to intensive pollution. That is, the results indicated a non- polluted environment.