title: Trace element seasonality in marine macroalgae of different functional-form groups.
abstract: Novel information on the seasonality of element accumulation in seaweeds is provided. Seasonal patterns of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, U, V and Zn concentrations in macroalgae belonging to different functional-form groups (Ulva intestinalis, Ulva rigida, Codium fragile, Gracilaria gracilis) from the Thessaloniki Gulf, Aegean Sea were determined and compared. Uni- and multivariate data analyses were applied. Element concentrations generally decreased during spring and/or summer, probably due to the growth effect, but a reverse trend, particularly in Ulva species, was also observed. Most elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr) in Ulva species displayed a comparatively low monthly variability, indicating that the extent of seasonal variation is closely related to thallus morphology and growth strategy. In particular, these data suggest that Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb and Sr contents in fast-growing, sheet-like macroalgae are less influenced by the season, compared to their contents in coarsely-branched and thick-leathery macroalgae; therefore, sheet-like macroalgae may be more appropriate to be used in biomonitoring of coastal waters. The data presented could be utilized in the development of biomonitoring programmes for the protection of coastal environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: malea@bio.auth.gr.
authors.forename: Paraskevi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malea
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chatziapostolou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Environmental Research and Education, Democritus University of Thrace, GR-68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece. Electronic address: tkebreki@eled.duth.gr.
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kevrekidis
mesh_terms: D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000378:metabolism*; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis; D044724:Gracilaria / Q000378:metabolism*; D006115:Greece; D054712:Salinity; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis; D012624:Seaweed / Q000378:metabolism*; D013472:Sunlight; D013696:Temperature; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*; D044445:Ulva / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Bioaccumulation; Biomonitoring; Coastal waters; Functional-form group; Growth effect; Metals; Monthly variation; Seaweed