TRACE METALS CONTENT IN SOME MARINE PLANTS COLLECTED FROM AL-HODEIDAH, RED SEA COAST OF YEMEN

TRACE METALS CONTENT IN SOME MARINE PLANTS
COLLECTED FROM AL-HODEIDAH,
RED SEA COAST OF YEMEN
HEBA, H. M. A.; M. A. AL-EDREESI; H. T. AL-SAAD AND M. A.
ABDELMONEIM*
* Fac. Mar. Sci. and Environ., Al-Hodeidah Univ., Yemen
Keywords: Trace metals, plants, Red Sea, Yemen
ABSTRACT
This investigation involves the utilization of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer to
determine the heavy metal concentrations and to examine the potential hazard to aquatic
plants resulting from the continuous exposure to these elements. Plant samples were
collected during 2001 along Al-Hodeidah City, Red Sea coast of Yemen. Eight elements
namely: V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were determined. The mean concentrations of
these metals were different from one plant to another. Highest concentrations of V, Cr, Co,
Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were: 0.55 in S. lasifolium, 20.25 in T. dichotoma, 11.75 in S.
latifolium, 13.25 in T. dichotoma, 46.50 in Padina sp, 29.70 in S. lasifolium, 1.72 in T.
dichotoma and 5.90 µg/g dry weights in S. latifolium respectively. Generally, the study
reveals that the levels of these metals in plant samples are within the ranges and/or in some
cases lower than those reported in the other parts of the world.