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Updated: Feb 15, 2026
10:44
Clean Sampling and Analysis of River and Estuarine Waters for Trace Metal Studies
Published on: July 1, 2016
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Trace metal occurrence in Mediterranean seaweeds.
Stefania Squadrone1, Paola Brizio2, Marco Battuello3,4
1Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy. stefania.squadrone@izsto.it.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|January 26, 2018
Summary
Seaweed analysis reveals concerning lead levels, exceeding limits for animal feed and food supplements in some Mediterranean samples. While other metals remained within safe ranges, lead poses a potential risk to both animal and human health.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Environmental Chemistry
- Food Safety
Background:
- Seaweeds are a traditional food and animal feed source, valued for nutrients like protein and fiber.
- Macroalgae accumulate various elements from their marine environment.
- Understanding trace element concentrations in seaweeds is crucial for assessing food and feed safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine trace element concentrations in dominant macroalgae species from the northwestern Mediterranean Sea.
- To assess potential risks associated with heavy metal accumulation in seaweeds for animal feed and human consumption.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of dominant macroalgae species from three distinct sites.
- Analysis of trace element concentrations (including arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and lead).
- Comparison of measured levels against European regulatory limits for food and feed.
Main Results:
- Significant interspecies variability in trace element concentrations was observed.
- Brown and green seaweeds generally exhibited higher metal levels than red seaweeds.
- European limits for arsenic, mercury, and cadmium were not exceeded, though mercury approached limits in some samples.
- Lead levels exceeded the maximum limit for animal feed in all species from one site and for food supplements.
Conclusions:
- Lead contamination in Mediterranean seaweeds presents a potential risk for animal feed and human health.
- While generally safe, mercury levels warrant monitoring due to proximity to regulatory limits.
- Species and site-specific monitoring of trace elements in seaweeds is essential for ensuring safety.
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