Sea surface microlayer and elemental composition in phaeo‐, chloro‐, and rhodophytes in winter and spring

Abstract

Trace metal or rare earth element (REE) content of marine macroalgae are underexamined and there is a great need for further understanding since macroalgae are used for food and may also be bioindicators of environmental changes. This study, by using high resolution inductive coupled plasma spectrometer in a clean laboratory (class 1000), investigates the trace metal and REE concentrations and composition in the youngest tissue of various species within three algal classes in the Trondheimsfjord, Norway, comprising phaeo‐, chloro‐, and rhodophytes in winter (February) and Spring (May) 2013, with the main focus on phaeophytes. The macroalgae were found in a clear zonation pattern as a function of depth. A significant difference in element concentration and composition was found between the six phaeophyte species along with a significant difference between winter and spring tissue. A zonation depth trend in algal tissue element concentration was also found for the phaeophytes, where the algal species located in both extreme ends (upper vs. lower littoral zone) obtained a lower element concentration than the algae located in the middle part of the littoral zone. This trend seems to result from different algal contact with the metal‐rich sea surface microlayer. The chlorophytes had 5–27 times higher concentration of REE and lead (Pb) than the two other algal classes. Results indicate that the rhodo‐ and chlorophytes are better accumulators than the phaeophytes for several trace metals and REE.

Toxic and Trace Elements in Seaweeds from a North Atlantic Ocean Region (Tenerife, Canary Islands)

“…However, no significant differences (p < 0.05) were detected in the content of trace elements depending on the month of algae collection. The difference in elements' concentrations, mainly Fe, Mn, and Zn, present in the algae based on the year period agreed with previous studies [53]. In both cases, the concentrations are lower in the warmer seasons.…”

“…Meanwhile, in the previous research, all the algae from Porís de Abona analysed were Phaeophyceae (brown algae) [47]. This could be the reason of the different concentrations found [53].…”

Marine Micro- and Macroalgae in the Polar Night

“…The pH and [CO2] are highly light regulated through the effect of photosynthesis (CO2 uptake and O2 release) and respiration (CO2 release and O2 consumption) on the ocean's inorganic carbon system. The dynamical uptake of nutrients and elements from water are highly dependent on the thickness of the sea surface microlayers around phytoplankton cells and macroalgal lamina which is also affected by current speed/direction, wave movements and tidal cycle (Kleiven et al 2019). During the Polar Night, the whole water column provides ample amounts of CO2 for macroalgal assimilation during growth (Scheschonk et al 2019).…”