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Arsenic accumulation in intertidal macroalgae exposed to sewage discharges

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Abstract

Arsenic is a widely distributed element in marine ecosystems. The main anthropogenic sources of this contaminant are domestic and industrial wastewaters, and since it can be harmful to humans even at low concentrations, it has been ranked as one of the top hazardous substances. Therefore, the analysis of arsenic is an essential task to assess the potential environmental and human health risk associated with sewage discharges. The accumulation of total arsenic on intertidal rocky shore macroalgae exposed to contaminated sewage discharges was measured in five macroalgae species (Asparagopsis armata, Codium sp., Plocamium cartilagineum, Saccorhiza polyschides and Ulva sp.). Differences in the concentrations of arsenic were examined in the seawater and in the macroalgae species. The results showed significantly higher concentrations of arsenic near the sewage discharges in all the species except S. polyschides. Although the information obtained from total arsenic determination is not enough to assess the toxicological risk in the environment, this paper gives an important contribution on contamination risks and helps in choosing potential good biomonitors.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank all the colleagues that helped in the field and laboratory work. This work was supported by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) through a PhD grant attributed to J. Cabral-Oliveira (SFRH/BD/48874/2008) and Susana Mendes (project MARE – UID/MAR/04292/2013), with funds from POPH (Portuguese Operational Human Potential Program), QREN Portugal (Portuguese National Strategic Reference Framework) and MCTES (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology, and Higher Education).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Life Sciences, CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal

    Joana Cabral-Oliveira, Susana Mendes & Miguel A. Pardal

  2. Bioinsight – Rua Antero de Quental, N°52 Loja B - Urbanização Colinas do Cruzeiro, 2675-690, Odivelas, Portugal

    Helena Coelho

  3. Department of Biology, CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    Helena Coelho

  4. Department of Earth Sciences, MARE UC, University of Coimbra, 3030-790, Coimbra, Portugal

    João Pratas

  5. IPG, Institute of Petroleum and Geology, Comoro-Elemloi, Díli, Timor-Leste

    João Pratas

  6. MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, P-2520-064, Peniche, Portugal

    Susana Mendes

Authors
  1. Joana Cabral-Oliveira
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  2. Helena Coelho
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  3. João Pratas
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  4. Susana Mendes
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  5. Miguel A. Pardal
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Correspondence to Joana Cabral-Oliveira.

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Cabral-Oliveira, J., Coelho, H., Pratas, J. et al. Arsenic accumulation in intertidal macroalgae exposed to sewage discharges. J Appl Phycol 28, 3697–3703 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-016-0867-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-016-0867-7

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