Distribution of metals and metalloids in dried seaweeds and health risk to population in southeastern China

Qing Chen,Jian-Long Han,Bai-Fen Huang,Xiao-Dong Pan

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-21732-z

Qing Chen, Jian-Long Han + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21732-z

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Abstract

Concern about metals and metalloids, especially heavy metals in seaweeds has risen due to potential health risk. This study investigated the distribution of 10 metals and metalloids in 295 dried seaweeds (brown and red) and estimated the possible health risk via hazard index (HI). Elements in seaweeds can be sequenced in descending order by mean values: Al > Mn > As > Cu > Cr > Ni > Cd > Se > Pb > Hg. The levels of Cd, Cu, Mn and Ni in red seaweeds were significantly higher than those in brown seaweeds (P < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed contents of Ni-Cr (r = 0.59, P < 0.01) in seaweeds had moderate positive correlations. Seaweeds from different geographical origins had diverse element distribution. Risk assessment showed that HI at mean level was less than the threshold of 1. It indicates that for the general people there is low health risk to these elements by the intake of seaweeds. Furthermore, in terms of the confirmative toxicity of some metals, such as Cd, Pb and Hg, surveillance of metals in seaweeds should be performed continuously.

Highlights

Seaweed is increasingly consumed as one of dietary foods due to their abundance of natural vitamins, minerals and plant-based protein
Once toxic metals enter aquatic systems where seaweeds grown, they may deposit in human body by intake of these seaweeds
Some studies have pointed out the heavy metal pollution in soil and sediments along Zhejiang coast[11,12]

Summary

Introduction

Seaweed is increasingly consumed as one of dietary foods due to their abundance of natural vitamins, minerals and plant-based protein. Once toxic metals enter aquatic systems where seaweeds grown, they may deposit in human body by intake of these seaweeds . Some metals such as Cd, Hg, and Pb can be toxic even at trace levels and biologically essential elements might cause toxic effects at elevated concentrations. Heavy metals accumulate in the fatty tissues and internal organs of human body, which may affect the central nervous system. For Asia, the largest area of seaweed yield, there are no related limits of heavy metals, though element analysis in seaweeds from China, Japan and Korea has been conducted[7,8]. Total 295 seaweed samples were purchased from Zhejiang which is a fast developing region in southeast of China (Fig. 1)

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