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Trace metals in Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson and Zostera noltii Hornem. from transitional waters in the Adriatic Sea

The concentrations of seven trace metal elements (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn and Fe) were measured in root, rhizome and leaf tissues of two seagrass species, Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson and Zostera noltii Hornem. These elements represent the most frequent toxic metals found in coastal environments. The sampling was made at 10 stations in transitional waters of the Adriatic Sea in the areas of Novigrad Sea, Prokljan lake, Jadro river mouth, Cetina river mouth and Neretva delta, spreading across the pollution gradient, from pristine to heavily disturbed areas, including urban and industrial regions and commercial harbours. Dried tissue samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass (ICP-MS ; for elements: Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn and Ni) and optical (ICP-OES ; for elements: Mn and Fe) spectrometry, after acid digestion. In general terms, Z. noltii seems to accumulate more metals than C. nodosa. Patterns of accumulation across plant organs are coherent for all elements, except for Zn, Ni and Cu. Spatial variability related to the pollution gradient confirm the high potential of both species for use in biomonitoring programs.

Cymodocea nodosa; Zostera noltii; trace metals; transitional waters; Adriatic Sea

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