Distribution, accumulation and health risk assessment of trace elements in Sargassum fusiforme

Abstract This study compared the ability of Sargassum fusiforme to accumulate As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in its five tissues (main branch, lateral branch, leaf, receptacles and pneumathode). The concentrations of these trace elements in seawater, surface sediments and different tissues of S. fusiforme were analyzed in different areas in Dongtong County (Wenzhou City, China). The presence of receptacle at all sites indicated that S. fusiforme had entered the mature stage. However, the proportion of each tissue in S. fusiforme in different sites was varied, indicating subtle differences in growth. S. fusiforme has a great capacity to accumulate trace elements, showing relatively high levels of As (28.2–64.2 mg kg−1) and Zn (19.9–80.8 mg kg−1). The elements are mainly stored in leaf, receptacles and pneumathode. Compared to element concentrations in the surrounding environment, the seaweed exhibited stronger bioconcentration capacity for As and Cd than for other elements. According to our health risk assessment results, the hazard index and carcinogenic risk were below the limit, suggesting that the S. fusiforme ingestion would not pose any health risk and the potential risk of intake branches was even lower than that of other tissues.