title: Variation along the year of trace metal levels in the compartments of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia.
abstract: The accumulation of the five trace metals (TMs) cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc was measured in Posidonia oceanica leaves. Shoots were seasonally sampled at 8-10-m depth from four stations located in Port El Kantaoui area, Tunisia, during four campaigns performed in 2012. Levels of the five TMs were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) in three compartments of P. oceanica shoots: blades and sheaths of adult leaves and intermediate leaves. Results showed a preferential accumulation of Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn in adult leaf blades. Therefore, we focus on the study of this compartment. TM levels of blades of adult leaves decreased in the following order: Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd, irrespective of the season. Levels of the five TMs significantly differed between seasons (p < 0.01). Levels of Cd and Cu showed a seasonal pattern: Cd decreased from spring to winter while Cu increased during that same period of time. A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was found between Cd-Cu and Cd-Pb. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was also noted between Cd-Ni in the adult leaf blades. A relationship was recorded between the foliar surface of the adult leaf blades and Zn accumulation. This survey allowed to highlight the annual variation of TM accumulation in adult leaf blades of P. oceanica, in relation with ecophysiology of this seagrass. Therefore, this study reinforces the usefulness and the relevance of this compartment of P. oceanica, easy to sample without destruction of whole shoot, as a bioindicator of Zn, Ni, Cd and Pb contamination.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of El Manar, Campus Farhat Hached, 2092, Manar II, Tunisia. zakhamarym@yahoo.fr.|Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, Manouba University, Tunisia, BP 2020, Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia. zakhamarym@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Rym
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zakhama-Sraieb
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of El Manar, Campus Farhat Hached, 2092, Manar II, Tunisia.|Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA), BP 337, Boulevard du Leader Yasser Arafat, 1080, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Yassine Ramzi
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Sghaier
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of El Manar, Campus Farhat Hached, 2092, Manar II, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Ahmed Ben
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Hmida
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, 09123, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cappai
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, 09123, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carucci
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of El Manar, Campus Farhat Hached, 2092, Manar II, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Faouzia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Charfi-Cheikhrouha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D035961:Alismatales / Q000737:chemistry*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014416:Tunisia
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D009532:Nickel
keywords: Compartment; Port El Kantaoui; Posidonia oceanica; Seasonal variation; Trace metals; Tunisia