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Variation along the year of trace metal levels in the compartments of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia

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Abstract

The accumulation of the five trace metals (TMs) cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc was measured in Posidonia oceanica leaves. Shoots were seasonally sampled at 8–10-m depth from four stations located in Port El Kantaoui area, Tunisia, during four campaigns performed in 2012. Levels of the five TMs were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) in three compartments of P. oceanica shoots: blades and sheaths of adult leaves and intermediate leaves. Results showed a preferential accumulation of Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn in adult leaf blades. Therefore, we focus on the study of this compartment. TM levels of blades of adult leaves decreased in the following order: Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd, irrespective of the season. Levels of the five TMs significantly differed between seasons (p < 0.01). Levels of Cd and Cu showed a seasonal pattern: Cd decreased from spring to winter while Cu increased during that same period of time. A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was found between Cd–Cu and Cd–Pb. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was also noted between Cd-Ni in the adult leaf blades. A relationship was recorded between the foliar surface of the adult leaf blades and Zn accumulation. This survey allowed to highlight the annual variation of TM accumulation in adult leaf blades of P. oceanica, in relation with ecophysiology of this seagrass. Therefore, this study reinforces the usefulness and the relevance of this compartment of P. oceanica, easy to sample without destruction of whole shoot, as a bioindicator of Zn, Ni, Cd and Pb contamination.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their comments that help improve the manuscript. We thank Dr Joseph A. Borg from the University of Malta and Dr Demian Willette from University of Loyola Marymount for improving the English language. The project “MAnagement of Port areas in the MEDiterranean Sea Basin (MAPMED)” has been funded by ENPI CBC MED Cross-Border Cooperation. This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union under the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of FST and UNICA (DICAAR) and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union or of the Programme’s management structures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of El Manar, Campus Farhat Hached, 2092, Manar II, Tunisia

    Rym Zakhama-Sraieb, Yassine Ramzi Sghaier, Ahmed Ben Hmida & Faouzia Charfi-Cheikhrouha

  2. Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, Manouba University, Tunisia, BP 2020, Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia

    Rym Zakhama-Sraieb

  3. Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA), BP 337, Boulevard du Leader Yasser Arafat, 1080, Tunis, Tunisia

    Yassine Ramzi Sghaier

  4. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, 09123, Cagliari, Italy

    Giovanna Cappai & Alessandra Carucci

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  1. Rym Zakhama-Sraieb
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  2. Yassine Ramzi Sghaier
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  3. Ahmed Ben Hmida
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  5. Alessandra Carucci
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  6. Faouzia Charfi-Cheikhrouha
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Correspondence to Rym Zakhama-Sraieb.

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Zakhama-Sraieb, R., Sghaier, Y.R., Hmida, A.B. et al. Variation along the year of trace metal levels in the compartments of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 1681–1690 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5163-6

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