Seagrass Cymodocea nodosa as a trace element biomonitor bioaccumulation patterns and biomonitoring uses

This study aimed to investigate the bioaccumulation patterns of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Znin the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Results showed that roots and leaves of C. nodosa tend toaccumulate similar values of trace elements but significantly greater than rhizomes, which seem toact as transit organs. Cu was the only element with similar concentrations in the three organs. C.nodosa showed no correlation with trace elements in water, whereas Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn insediments were correlated with C. nodosa. This study showed also that C. nodosa tends to adopt anexclusion strategy for some toxic elements like Cr except As. In general, the roots and leaves of C.nodosa acted as bioindicators of several trace elements in sediments. Leaves are easier to sampleand are suggested for short-term monitoring, given their periodic turnover. In turn, roots are moresuitable for collecting historical information on past environmental conditions.