Seagrass Halophila stipulacea: Capacity of accumulation and biomonitoring of trace elements

Abstract

This study aimed to shed further light on the capacity of the seagrass Halophila stipulacea to accumulate and biomonitor the elements As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, present in water and sediments. Results showed that the organs of H. stipulacea accumulate different levels of trace elements, whose concentrations decrease mainly in the order of roots>rhizomes>leaves. The seagrass H. stipulacea showed levels of trace elements similar to those found in other Mediterranean seagrasses, e.g. Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa. This study showed that H. stipulacea could act as a promising bioindicator of several elements, present in sediments, including As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn.

Keywords: Bioindicators; Biomonitoring; Halophila stipulacea; Metal pollution; Seagrasses; Trace elements.