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 Zn
in the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Results showed that roots and leaves of C. nodosa tend to
accumulate similar values of trace elements but significantly greater than rhizomes, which seem to
act 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 in
sediments were correlated with C. nodosa. This study showed also that C. nodosa tends to adopt an
exclusion 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 sample
and are suggested for short-term monitoring, given their periodic turnover. In turn, roots are more
suitable for collecting historical information on past environmental conditions.