TRACE TOXIC MINERAL LEVELS OF SEA LETTUCE (Ulva spp.) FROM COAST OF ISTANBUL

Abstract

Concentrations of Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Arsenic (As), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) were determined in the macro algae sea lettuce (Ulva spp.), sampled from the coastline of Istanbul old city (Cankurtaran) in summer 2016. The abundance of trace toxic mineral concentrations in sea lettuce were in the following order: Fe > Zn > As > Cu> Ni >Pb> Cd. However, mercury was not detected in any sample. The present study provides a new information to the consumer on the distribution of trace toxic minerals in sea lettuce.