Phycoremediation potential of brown macroalgae species Saccharina latissimi and Laminaria digitata towards inorganic arsenic in a multitrophic pilot-scale experiment

The presence of organic pollutants and toxic elements in aquatic ecosystems can cause serious problems to the environment and marine organisms and subsequently lead to adverse effects to human health following consumption of contaminated seafood. Hence, technological solutions for the<br/>reduction and mitigation of contaminants in the aquatic food production chain are called upon. The phycoremediation technology is a cost-effective algae-based approach that utilizes the ability of macroalgae to concentrate elements and compounds from the environment and to metabolize<br/>various molecules in their tissues.<br/>Arsenic (As) is a ubiquitous metalloid found in soils, groundwater, surface water, air, and consequently also in various food items. Arsenic is bioaccumulated in the marine food chain and total arsenic concentrations in the mg/kg range is usually found in marine organisms. The toxicity of<br/>arsenic depends on the chemical species, where inorganic arsenic is considered to be the most toxic form of arsenic.<br/>The aim of the present study was to evaluate the phycoremediation capacity of the two brown seaweed species Sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) and Oarweed (Laminaria digitata) in a controlled multitrophic (water, algae, mussels) pilot experiment with exposure to inorganic arsenic. The results of the experiments indicated that of the two algae species used in the experiment, Laminaria digitata was more efficient for removal of arsenic from seawater and hence a better choice for phycoremediation practises towards this parameter.<br/><br/>Acknowledgments<br/>The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under the ECsafeSEAFOOD project (grant agreement n° 311820).