Metal Contamination Biomonitoring with Marine Macroalgae

Dear Colleagues,

Metal contamination in the marine environment has emerged as a major environmental concern globally. Metals (e.g., Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and metalloids (As) have been discharged in large amounts into the marine environment without adequate environmental control as a result of human activities. These contaminants are toxic, persistent, and can be bioaccumulated and transferred through the marine food web, threatening the integrity of ecosystems and human health. As metal contamination results in the steady degradation of ecosystems, monitoring and assessment of the quality of the marine environment has become a global priority, with legislative measures and strategies to mitigate its impact and to protect and conserve ecosystems. Marine macroalgae have been widely used as biomonitors of marine contamination (including metals and organic pollutants, among others) since the middle of the 20^th century. These organisms, especially brown macroalgae, are considered one of the most efficient and reliable metal biomonitors due to their ability to accumulate high levels of metals from the surrounding environment.

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of studies which deal with the use of marine macroalgae as biomonitors of metallic contamination based on different approaches, namely local/regional biomonitoring surveys using native macroalgae or transplants, studies relating seasonal/temporal variability with environmental variability and climate change, methodological improvements in monitoring techniques, bioaccumulation and biosorption experiments, etc. The submission of long-term field studies is highly encouraged. Particular attention will be paid to studies comparing the bioaccumulation capacity of different species and the mechanisms involved in metal binding/uptake processes.

Dr. Rita García Seoane
Dr. Claude Fortin
Guest Editors

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• trace elements
• heavy metals
• marine macroalgae
• bioavailability
• metal toxicity
• bioaccumulation
• biosorption
• water quality
• aquatic pollution
• seawater contamination