Characterization of sargassum accumulated on Dominican beaches in 2021: Analysis of heavy, alkaline and alkaline-earth metals, proteins and fats

This paper presents the characterization of sargassum that reached the shores of eight Dominican beaches in 2021. The analysis of heavy, alkaline and alkaline-earth metals was performed by ICP-OES. Twelve heavy metals were studied, with the highest concentrations corresponding to Fe, As, and Zn. Reg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2023-08, Vol.193, p.115120-115120, Article 115120
Main Authors: Liranzo-Gómez, Rolando Esteban, Gómez, Aris Mendis, Gómez, Bolívar, González-Hernández, Yusmel, Jauregui-Haza, Ulises Javier
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Algae
Animals
Arsenic - analysis
Dominican Republic
Environmental Sciences
Fats
Heavy metals
Metals, Heavy - analysis
Proteins
Sargassum
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Summary:This paper presents the characterization of sargassum that reached the shores of eight Dominican beaches in 2021. The analysis of heavy, alkaline and alkaline-earth metals was performed by ICP-OES. Twelve heavy metals were studied, with the highest concentrations corresponding to Fe, As, and Zn. Regarding the alkaline and alkaline-earth metals, the highest concentrations were detected for Ca, K, Na and Mg. The high values of arsenic and alkali and alkaline-earth metal salts do not suggest using these algae in agriculture. It is recommended to carry out arsenic speciation studies to assess whether the form in which it is found is bioavailable for plants and animals. The heavy metal contamination index was determined, which ranged between 0.318 and 3.279. Finally, for the first time in the country, the organic fraction of sargassum was analyzed. •Among studied heavy metals the highest concentrations correspond to Fe, As and Zn.•The high values of As, Ca, K, Na and Mg do not suggest using sargassum in agriculture.•The heavy metal contamination index ranged between 0.318 and 3.279.•There is an increase of arsenic, magnesium and sodium along the Dominican coast.•The protein and fat content is within the ranges determined for sargassum.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115120