Trace metal concentrations in brown seaweeds, Cardigan Bay, Wales

Concentrations of zinc, cadmium, copper, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and molybdenum are examined in brown algae, Fucus serratus and F. vesiculosus, from Cardigan Bay, Irish Sea, Great Britain. In both species a seasonal variation in metal content was observed. Zinc, cadmium, copper, iron nickel and cobalt concentrations were highest in the spring and lowest in the autumn, probably reflecting levels of metabolic activity and climatic factors. All the studied elements, except nickel, reached highest concentrations in harbour specimens from Aberystwyth and Aberaeron where rivers draining mineralized areas enter the sea. Outside harbours, marked regional variations were observed in most of the studied elements. Zinc values were highest in the Aberystwyth area while copper and manganese were highest in the northeast part of the bay. Trace-element concentrations varied among different species from the same locality and also varied according to position on the shore. Marine algae may be used to monitor coastal-water trace-metal concentrations, provided a careful sampling procedure is adopted.