Levels and spatial distribution of trace elements in macroalgae species from the Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil

Concentrations of elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) were determined in ten species of macroalgae collected from six sites in the Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil, between May and July of 2010. An optimized microwave-assisted digestion procedure was used to digest the samples. The elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A wide range of metal concentrations were observed between the species analysed. Somewhat higher concentrations of Cd (5.99 μg g−1), Co (372 μg g−1), Mn (640 μg g−1), Ni (17.2 μg g−1) and Zn (51.4 μg g−1) were found in the brown macroalgae species Padina spp., whereas elements, such as As (19.7 μg g−1) and Pb (8.27 μg g−1), were mainly concentrated in the species Sargassum spp. and Bostrychia montagnei, respectively. Statistical analyses (ANOVA) of the Padina data showed significant inter-site differences for all metals examined except nickel.