Macroalgae from two coastal lagoons of the Gulf of California as indicators of heavy metal contamination by anthropogenic activities

Abstract

Metal concentrations in coastal zones are a critical study subject since anthropogenic activities surrounding these zones are increasing and affecting environmental concentrations of metals. Macroalgae have been used as biomonitors since they can act as indicators of metal concentrations in the water column. Tissue samples of three abundant macroalgae species (Spyridia filamentosa, Padina mexicana and Ulva ohnoi) were collected from three sites with different anthropogenic impacts at La Paz Bay and Guaymas Bay, Mexico, during three contrasting seasons (dry, rainy and cold) in the year 2016. Tissue concentrations of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The highest concentrations were found in S. filamentosa inhabiting both bays. The highest Cd and Mn concentrations were recorded in algae from La Paz Bay, while the highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Fe were recorded in algae from Guaymas Bay. Metal concentrations varied seasonally; the highest Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni and Pb levels were recorded in the cold season in algae from both bays. S. filamentosa concentrated more Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb, while P. mexicana and U. ohnoi showed higher Mn and Cd. Therefore, S. filamentosa proved to be the most suitable indicator of metal concentrations, followed by P. mexicana and U. ohnoi. The high metal concentrations recorded in algae from San Juan de la Costa, La Paz Bay, are related to mining activities, whereas those in algae from Guaymas Bay are related to canneries, maritime traffic and others.

Epidemiology of marine turtle fibropapillomatosis and tumour-associated chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5; Scutavirus chelonidalpha5) in North-Western Mexico: a scoping review implementing the one health approach

“…The anatomical distribution of the tumours was predominant in the anterior region of the body, like what is reported in other regions of the EP (Aguirre et al 1999;Reséndiz et al 2015), north Pacific (Work et al 2004) and Gulf of Mexico (Suárez-Domínguez et al 2020). It has been reported that the first signs of FP are the growth of small lesions in the anterior part of the body, and this could be explained by which suggests that could be incorporated into the diet of herbivorous animals, such as green turtles, representing a risk to their health (Riosmena-Rodríguez et al 2010;Mendez-Rodriguez et al 2021). Hence, the persistence of OCPs and heavy metals through the trophic web could represent a risk not only as a possible FP co-factor, but also for humans who feed on specimens with presence of these contaminants (Senko et al 2009).…”

Species composition, diversity, and the benefit of macroalgae to increase food security in Ambon Island

“…Macroalgae have a different ability to adapt to the environment. Environmental influences such as substrate, temperature, salinity, nutrients, water quality, and anthropogenic (community activities) will affect diverse species and even cause species damage [10,11,12].…”