Estimation of trace elements in sediments by macroalgae: A case study in the northern coast of the Persian Gulf (Bushehr province)

Background: The present study was conducted to investigate the northern coast of the Persian Gulf (Bushehr province), which is exposed to industrial, agricultural, shipping, and oil pollution. This study aimed to determine the contamination of the northern coast of the Gulf using macroalgae and predict these elements in sediments. Methods: Two items of sediment sampling and macroalgae were investigated. Linear regression was used to predict the amount of trace elements in sediments by macroalgae. In this study, aluminium (Al), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), cerium (Ce), copper (Cu), lanthanum (La), lithium (Li), niobium (Nb), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), scandium (Sc), samarium (Sm), thorium (Th), and vanadium (V) were measured. Results: The results showed that the highest amounts of Cd, La, Nb, Sc, and Th in sediment were recorded in Emam Hassan port. The highest mean amounts of Al, Li, and Sm in sediment were reported in Bushehr port. The mean of the highest amount of trace elements absorption was reported in Sargassum glaucescens, Gracilaria corticate, and Rhizoclonium riparium, respectively. The results of linear regression analysis showed that S. glaucescens had the highest efficiency in predicting the amounts of elements in sediments. Conclusion: Predicting the amount of trace elements in sediments by macroalgae can be a great help in this field. In addition, by using the algal index, the amount of this pollution in sediments can be determined with the lowest cost.