Minerals and trace element compositions of some seaweeds from the Marchica lagoon, North-East Mediterranean coast of Morocco

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the mineral and heavy metals composition of different seaweeds growing in Marchica lagoon. To this end, green seaweeds, red seaweeds, and brown seaweeds were collected from three different stations in the Marchica lagoon. The highest concentration of Ca was measured in Centroceras clavulatum (17.12 f 0.60), K in Caulerpa prolifera (15.17 f 0.20), Na in Gracilaria dura (4.16 f 0.03) and Hypnea musciformis (4.09 f 0.03), Mg in Ulva rigida (2.80 f 0.06), and the highest concentration of P was registered in Ulva intestinalis (3658 f 14). Centroceras clavulatum and Gracilaria dura had the highest Al, Fe, and Sr levels. Cystoseira compressa had the highest As (53.8 mg/kg) and Rb (43 mg/kg). These findings suggest that seaweeds collected from Marchica lagoon could be used as potential sources of minerals and trace elements in seaweed-based products for human and animal nutrition alike.