Seaweed Farming Research Articles

Harnessing seaweed farming for climate mitigation in South Korea: evaluating carbon dioxide removal potential and future research directions

Seaweed farming is emerging as a scalable and effective carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy, offering direct sequestration benefits through carbon uptake pathways and indirect climate advantages by substituting carbon-intensive products. This paper evaluates the potential of seaweed farming within the context of South Korea, leveraging its advanced aquaculture infrastructure, extensive coastal resources, and supportive policy frameworks. By synthesizing current literature, this study examines key sequestration mechanisms, including biomass storage, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release, and particulate organic carbon (POC) burial, while addressing uncertainties such as the stability of recalcitrant DOC and the efficiency of POC burial under site-specific conditions. The analysis highlights South Korea’s unique strengths, such as its established seaweed farming industry and innovative technological developments, alongside challenges like ecological trade-offs, nutrient competition, and the absence of robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems. The paper identifies opportunities to scale offshore farming, adopt integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, and enhance lifecycle climate benefits through product innovation and renewable energy integration. To guide future research and policy, the paper outlines critical gaps, including the need for precise quantification of long-term carbon sequestration pathways, development of MRV frameworks, and exploration of socio-economic impacts. By addressing these gaps, seaweed farming can become a central pillar of South Korea’s climate mitigation strategy, providing valuable insights for other regions seeking to integrate marine-based solutions into global CDR efforts.

Optimization of Long Line Management in Seaweed Farming: Strategies for Increasing Farmers' Group Income in Pinrang Regency, Indonesia

This research aims to explore the role of the long-line method in increasing the income of seaweed farmers in Pinrang Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, while examining the challenges they face and the strategies they employ to overcome them. The study employs a qualitative case study approach, involving 15 seaweed farmers from various coastal villages within Pinrang Regency, representing diverse demographic backgrounds and experiences. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews, allowing for an in-depth understanding of the participants' farming practices and challenges. The findings indicate that seaweed farmers increase their income by optimizing resources, collaborating within farmer groups, and adapting to environmental and market changes. Strategies such as space optimization, material reuse, and knowledge sharing among farming communities significantly enhance productivity and sustainability. Furthermore, farmers employ adaptive techniques to mitigate environmental risks and market volatility, including using durable materials and processing seaweed into higher-value products. The implications of these findings are crucial for policymakers and development organizations, as they highlight the potential of sustainable farming practices in improving the livelihoods of coastal communities. Policymakers are encouraged to develop support programs that promote resource optimization, foster community-driven farming networks, and train farmers in adaptive strategies. However, the study's limitations, including the small sample size and reliance on self-reported data, may affect the generalizability of the results. Future research should incorporate larger, more diverse samples and objective measures to enhance the robustness of the findings, and explore the long-term impacts of the long-line method on income and sustainability.

Beyond the Win–Win Discourse: Designing Seaweed Farming for Long‐Term Success

ABSTRACTCommunication about seaweed aquaculture has so far been dominated by its many socio‐economic and ecological advantages. A key risk of this ‘hype’ is the potential loss of support from communities affected by seaweed cultivation if reality fails to live up to expectations. This could have justice and equity implications for impacted communities, and undermine potential benefits for those communities, as well as affecting the long‐term success of emerging industries. This paper highlights experiences from other marine sectors in which a similar emphasis on benefits has drowned out discussion of potential costs, often leading to initial success but long‐term failure. We highlight the importance of clearly communicating possible negative impacts, and meaningfully engaging stakeholders to shape marine interventions. Finally, we recommend further research into the social dimensions of seaweed farming in geographies where this practice is nascent, and increased attention to the potential trade‐offs of scaling up seaweed cultivation.

Molecular responses of seaweeds to biotic interactions: A systematic review.

Seaweed farming is the single largest aquaculture commodity with >30 million tonnes produced each year. Furthermore, the restoration of lost seaweed forests is gaining significant momentum, particularly for kelps in warming temperate areas. Whether in aquaculture settings, following restoration practices, or in the wild, all seaweeds undergo biotic interactions with a diverse range of co-occurring or cocultured organisms. To date, most research assessing such biotic interactions has focused on the response of the organism interacting with seaweeds, rather than on the seaweeds themselves. However, understanding how seaweeds respond to other organisms, particularly on a molecular scale, is crucial for optimizing outcomes of seaweed farming or restoration efforts and, potentially, also for the conservation of natural populations. In this systematic review, we assessed the molecular processes that seaweeds undergo during biotic interactions and propose priority areas for future research. Despite some insights into the response of seaweeds to biotic interactions, this review specifically highlights a lack of characterization of biomolecules involved in the response to chemical cues derived from interacting organisms (four studies in the last 20 years) and a predominant use of laboratory-based experiments conducted under controlled conditions. Additionally, this review reveals that studies targeting metabolites (70%) are more common than those examining the role of genes (22%) and proteins (8%). To effectively inform seaweed aquaculture efforts, it will be crucial to conduct larger scale experiments simulating natural environments. Also, employing a holistic approach targeting genes and proteins would be beneficial to complement the relatively well-established role of metabolites.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Seaweed Production Policies in Tawi-Tawi: A Foundation for Designing a Policy Determination Model

Seaweed farming is a vital economic activity in coastal regions, offering potential for sustainable development and poverty alleviation. In the Philippines, particularly in Tawi-Tawi, seaweed production supports local livelihoods and regional economic growth. Despite its importance, the effectiveness of seaweed production policies in Tawi-Tawi is underexplored. This study identifies critical gaps in these policies, evaluates their effectiveness and implementation, and proposes evidence-based recommendations to enhance sustainability and productivity. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates quantitative data from field surveys and qualitative insights from stakeholder interviews. Findings indicate that the overall level of policy implementation in Tawi-Tawi's seaweed production is slight, with an overall effectiveness mean score of 2.51 (slightly effective). The effectiveness in specific areas includes the local economy (2.71), tourism (2.50), stakeholders (2.44), political (2.52), environment (2.34), and laws (2.55). The correlation coefficient of 0.637 indicates a strong positive relationship between Implementation Perception and Implementation Impact/Efficiency, highlighting the need for improved policy measures. Effective seaweed production policies in Tawi-Tawi are crucial for local economic growth but currently show only slight implementation and effectiveness. Addressing gaps and enhancing collaboration can significantly improve outcomes for the industry and community.

Effect of elevated CO2 and temperature on Ulva lactuca growth and biochemistry under variable nitrogen levels: predicting future conditions of edible seaweed farming through land-based cultivation system

Effect of elevated CO2 and temperature on Ulva lactuca growth and biochemistry under variable nitrogen levels: predicting future conditions of edible seaweed farming through land-based cultivation system

Ice-Ice Disease Prevalence and Intensity in Eucheumatoid Seaweed Farms: Seasonal Variability and Relationship with the Physicochemical and Meteorological Parameters.

Since its initial report in the Philippines in 1981, ice-ice disease (IID) remains a substantial threat to the sustainability of eucheumatoid seaweed production. However, comprehensive investigations into the prevalence, intensity, and potential relationships with physicochemical and meteorological parameters are limited, particularly in open-sea farms. This is the first study to conduct a 12-month monitoring of IID prevalence and intensity in eucheumatoid seaweed farms in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. The research aimed to elucidate seasonal variations and potential associations with physicochemical and meteorological parameters. The findings revealed significant seasonal variations in IID prevalence, with a higher incidence observed during the dry season compared to the wet season. Additionally, deep-water farms exhibited significantly higher prevalence and ice-ice spot numbers per bundle compared to shallow-water farms. Furthermore, Kappaphycus striatus displayed a significantly greater ice-ice spot length per bundle compared to K. alvarezii. Notably, no interaction effects were observed among season, species, and depth. Interestingly, while no correlations were found between ice-ice disease and most measured physicochemical and meteorological parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, water current velocity, wind speed) or nutrient concentrations (phosphate, nitrate, nitrite), an inverse correlation (p < 0.05) emerged between ammonium levels and IID intensity parameters (number and length of ice-ice spot per bundle). Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between monthly rainfall and IID intensity. These findings offer valuable insights into the dynamics of IID in open-sea eucheumatoid seaweed (Kappaphycus) farming, highlighting the influence of seasonality, depth, and species susceptibility, as well as the relationship between IID severity and ammonium levels and rainfall.

Quantifying growth, erosion and dislodgement rates of farmed kelp (Saccharina latissima) to examine the carbon sequestration potential of temperate seaweed farming

Seaweed cultivation, including kelp species, is rapidly expanding in many regions. A widely assumed co-benefit of seaweed farming is increased local carbon sequestration rates (thereby contributing to climate change mitigation), although direct field-based measurements of carbon assimilation and release are largely lacking. We quantified growth, erosion and dislodgement rates of farmed Saccharina latissima in Porthallow Bay (Cornwall, UK) throughout a typical cultivation season to provide insights into the carbon sequestration potential of small-scale kelp farms. Blade elongation rates increased from ~ 1.3 cm day−1 to ~ 2.3 cm day−1 in March–April, before declining to 1.4 cm day−1 by May. Meanwhile, erosion rates remained low, ranging from ~ 0.5 to ~ 0.8 cm day−1. Dislodgement rates decreased from 20% of plants in January–February to 5% in April–May. Rates of carbon accumulation and loss increased from January to May, related to an increase in standing stock. Conservative first-order estimates suggest that the farm captures 0.14 t C ha−1 y−1, of which up to 70% is released into the environment as particulate organic carbon. Based on previous estimates of carbon burial and storage rates, the farm may sequester 0.05 t CO2e ha−1 y−1. These values suggest that scaling-up European kelp farming should be motivated by other co-benefits, such as low-carbon product alternatives, job creation and potential biodiversity gains, and not be solely driven by a perceived meaningful increase in carbon sequestration. Importantly, further information needs to be obtained from a variety of cultivation sites to develop a better understanding of carbon dynamics associated with kelp farms.

Contribution of seaweed farming to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and microplastics pollution

In recent decades, human activities have caused many adverse environmental issues that continue to pose a threat to the earth's ecosystems. Global warming and the widespread detection of microplastics are examples of these activities, both of which are largely associated with the use of fossil fuels. Farming and utilization of seaweeds for commercial and industrial applications presents a potential solution to alleviate these problems. Seaweed farming can sequester CO2 from the atmosphere without competing with human activities that rely on agricultural land and water resources and will therefore not contribute to deforestation. Polysaccharides extracted from seaweeds are raw materials for some biodegradable bioplastics and their use may limit the generation of microplastics in the environment. Under the right conditions, the degradation of seaweed bioplastics also produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to the degradation of conventional plastics. However, the commercial acceptance of seaweed polymers is currently hindered by the relatively high manufacturing cost and quality of the final products. Therefore, further research is essential to advance the development of seaweed farming and the use of seaweed polymers as potential replacements for fossil-fuel based polymers.

The potential climate benefits of seaweed farming in temperate waters

Seaweed farming is widely promoted as an approach to mitigating climate change despite limited data on carbon removal pathways and uncertainty around benefits and risks at operational scales. We explored the feasibility of climate change mitigation from seaweed farming by constructing five scenarios spanning a range of industry development in coastal British Columbia, Canada, a temperate region identified as highly suitable for seaweed farming. Depending on growth rates and the fate of farmed seaweed, our scenarios sequestered or avoided between 0.20 and 8.2 Tg CO2e year−1, equivalent to 0.3% and 13% of annual greenhouse gas emissions in BC, respectively. Realisation of climate benefits required seaweed-based products to replace existing, more emissions-intensive products, as marine sequestration was relatively inefficient. Such products were also key to reducing the monetary cost of climate benefits, with product values exceeding production costs in only one of the scenarios we examined. However, model estimates have large uncertainties dominated by seaweed production and emissions avoided, making these key priorities for future research. Our results show that seaweed farming could make an economically feasible contribute to Canada’s climate goals if markets for value-added seaweed based products are developed. Moreover, our model demonstrates the possibility for farmers, regulators, and researchers to accurately quantify the climate benefits of seaweed farming in their regional contexts.

Exploring the Global Potential of Seaweed Farming for Carbon Removal and Climate Mitigation

Exploring the Global Potential of Seaweed Farming for Carbon Removal and Climate Mitigation

Experiences and aspirations of seaweed farmers in Palawan, Philippines

Many coastal dwellers engage in seaweed farming despite of various challenges because of its simple farming technology, low capital investment, and short cultivation period. This paper explored the attitudes of seaweed farmers (n = 187) from nine coastal communities of Aborlan, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, and Taytay, Palawan towards the difficulties and challenges they experienced. The farmers’ experiences in seaweed farming, mid-term aspirations, and factors affecting their positive attitudes towards seaweed farming were gathered using a Likert-scale questionnaire in KoBoToolbox. Focused group discussion (FGD) sessions were also conducted to obtain more data about their optimistic attitudes. Participants are 55% male and 45% female. Results revealed that farmers had a high level of optimism toward seaweed farming. The majority (75%) ‘will continue to engage in planning the next cropping cycle’, most (89%) ‘are expecting to have a good harvest’, and almost all (96%) ‘are planning to generate raw dried seaweeds from their harvest.’ Many (59%) of the respondents obtained high earnings from seaweed farming, but most (93%) experienced economic losses. As recovery options, 92% aspired to culture other organisms such as sea cucumber and abalone. Further, most of them wanted to seek assistance from government offices (91%), participate in seaweed product development (86.5%), and join a cooperative (87.5%). This study could serve as baseline information in designing relevant training and educational activities to assist seaweed farmers in managing their farms sustainably. Subsequently, this could aid in formulating effective policies to address similar problems of seaweed farmers in other municipalities of Palawan.

Rotation Culture of Macroalgae Based on Photosynthetic Physiological Characteristics of Algae

Seaweed farming has made outstanding contributions to food supply and the restoration of the ecological environment despite the limitations in production and ecological effects due to the current intensive farming of single algae species. These limitations can be overcome by selecting suitable algal species based on their physiological characteristics and by constructing a large-scale seaweed rotation model. This study carried out a trial culture in aquaculture sea areas, and performed in situ monitoring of the environmental conditions and physiological characteristics of Saccharina japonica, Hizikia fusiformis, and Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis. Additionally, a comparative analysis of the three macroalgae at different times was conducted to determine their response characteristics to environmental factors. The results showed that: (1) The three macroalgae had varying light tolerance. The effective quantum yield of Hizikia fusiformis and Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis remained unchanged during the changes in light environment, while that of Saccharina japonica first decreased and then recovered. (2) The relative electron transport rates of the three macroalgae were significantly different under different temperature conditions. Hizikia fusiformis and Saccharina japonica exhibited the highest relative electron transport rates (70.45 and 106.75, respectively) in May (20.3 °C). Notably, Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis demonstrated good growth and exhibited the highest relative electron transport rate (93.07) in September (27.5 °C). These findings collectively support the feasibility of establishing a macroalgae rotation model. Based on the combined environmental conditions of the seas in Shandong, Zhejiang, and Fujian, a macroalgae rotation model was proposed. The application of this model in the construction of artificial seaweed farms in marine ranches can provide a stable output of large-scale seaweed production and ecological benefits.

Temporal variations of biological nitrogen fixation and diazotrophic communities associated with artificial seaweed farms

Diazotrophic communities contribute inorganic nitrogen for the primary productivity of the marine environment by biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). They play a vital role in the biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen in the marine ecological environment. However, there is still an incomplete understanding of BNF and diazotrophs in artificial seaweed farms. Therefore, this study comprehensively investigated the temporal variations of BNF associated with Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis, as well as the diazotrophic communities associated with macroalgae and its surrounding seawater. Our results revealed that a total of 13 strains belonging to Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were identified as N2-fixing bacteria using azotobacter selective solid medium and nifH gene cloning. Subsequently, BNF and diazotrophic communities were characterized using the acetylene reduction method and high-throughput sequencing of the nifH gene, respectively. The results showed that nitrogenase activity and nifH gene abundance of epiphytic bacteria on G. lemaneiformis varied significantly among four different cultivation periods, i.e., Cultivation Jan. (CJ), Cultivation Feb. (CF), Cultivation Mar. (CM), Cultivation Apr. (CA). Among them, the nitrogenase activity and nifH gene abundance of epiphytic bacteria on G. lemaneiformis in CM were significantly higher than those in CJ, CF, and CA, indicating that the BNF of eiphytic bacteria on G. lemaneiformis was markedly enhanced. Combined with the data on environmental factors, it was found that the low concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in CM might considerably boost the BNF of epiphytic bacteria in G. lemaneiformis. The sequencing results of the nifH gene showed that the α-diversity of diazotrophic communities associated with G. lemaneiformis and seawater in CM was higher than that in other cultivation periods. In addition, the diazotrophic communities on G. lemaneiformis were significantly different in CJ, CF, CM, and CA, and they were significantly diverse from diazotrophic communities in seawater. LEfSe analysis indicated that Rhodobacterales, Hyphomonadaceae, Robiginitomaculum, and Robiginitomaculum antarcticum within α-proteobacteria played a remarkable role in BNF in response to nitrogen nutrient deficiency. Taken together, these results provide a unique insight into the interaction between macroalgae and its epiphytic bacteria and lay a foundation for further research on the mechanism of action of nitrogen-cycling microorganisms associated with macroalgae.

Recipes for the Future of Seaweed Aquaculture

Climate cuisine is about eating the future you want into being. In this article, I examine how seaweed recipes can be forms of climate fiction through the way that the reader is invited to participate in sustainable foodways. I examine several popularizations of seaweed aquaculture that imagine practices of eating and growing seaweeds. Their formal similarities center on participation: they include the direct address of the reader through the second person voice, and position themselves as instructional models. Bren Smith’s Eat Like a Fish (Smith, Eat like a fish: My adventures as a fisherman turned restorative ocean farmer, Penguin, 2019) interpellates the reader as eater, invited to cultivate eating habits that, on a societal scale, would produce a more materially sustainable relation with the planet. The vignette “Ghost Bar,” which appears in Holly Jean Buck’s After Geoengineering: Climate Tragedy, Repair, and Restoration (Buck, After geoengineering: Climate tragedy, repair, and restoration, Verso, 2019), sensorily emplaces the reader in a future seaweed farm as a window into the kinds of livelihoods and forms of work that could be part of mitigating global warming. I trace the similarities between Smith's recipes and Buck’s interpellation of a reader, both of which use the second-person mode addressing an unmarked “you,” inviting this “you” to imagine and actualize the future dish or future scenario they sketch. While these texts have their own limitations at the level of the social imagination, such popularizations of seaweed aquaculture model an important way of understanding the intimacies of climate fiction and recipes. Recipes not only popularize the sustainable eating of seaweeds, but actively constitute a form of climate fiction through their intention to actualize more seaweedy futures.

209 Understanding Perceptions of Climate Stressors and Mitigation Measures Employed by Women Seaweed Farmers in South District of Zanzibar, Tanzania

209 Understanding Perceptions of Climate Stressors and Mitigation Measures Employed by Women Seaweed Farmers in South District of Zanzibar, Tanzania

Dynamic livelihoods, gender and poverty in marine protected areas: Case study from Zanzibar, Tanzania

Livelihood initiatives are common within marine protected areas (MPAs) aiming for poverty alleviation or higher income opportunities. However, results can be mixed in reality, as well as change over time. Furthermore, who benefits is a key consideration, as results can vary based on inequalities, including gender. Here, the monetary outcomes of different livelihood strategies were investigated across three MPA regions in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Using a quantitative approach, the results show that livelihoods have shifted in a six-year period, with livelihood strategies differing in poverty incidence and income. Livelihood initiatives, namely seaweed farming and tourism, did not provide significantly higher monetary returns compared to long-standing livelihoods, such as fisheries. Seaweed farming showed income stability but a high poverty incidence predominantly within women-headed households. During the study period, men primarily remained in fisheries, whilst women shifted to small-scale businesses and fisheries, largely exiting seaweed farming. This underscores a need for adaptive, gender sensitive management within fast changing coastal contexts.

ANALISIS STRATEGI PENGEMBANGAN KAMPUNG PERIKANAN BUDIDAYA RUMPUT LAUT DI DESA LONTAR KABUPATEN SERANG

The amount of seaweed production in Lontar Village which decreases every year needs to be analyzed to increase the amount of seaweed production in Lontar Village. In this study, an analysis of internal and external factors of seaweed cultivation business in Lontar Village will be conducted. Formulation of development directions using SWOT analysis. Based on the results of IFAS and EFAS analysis, internal and external factors have 5 factors. Strengths include people's interest in large seaweed farming businesses, labor is easy to obtain from families and communities, seaweed cultivation technology is simple and easy, large seaweed cultivation areas are available and harvesting and maintenance periods can be arranged. Weaknesses include lack of knowledge and skills in the cultivation business, seaweed is susceptible to pest and disease attacks, the quality and quantity of seeds are not supportive, there is no seaweed processing industry and poor water quality that affects harvesting. Opportunities include export market potential, superior products of government programs, seaweed processing industry, seaweed processing technology and facilities and infrastructure. Threats include the threat of climate change, lack of training from extension workers, fluctuating seaweed prices, loss of generations of seaweed farmers and assistance from the government has not met the needs of farmers and has not been evenly distributed. Based on the results of the matrix analysis, the right strategy applied to seaweed farming business in Lontar Village is the S-O (Progressive) strategy. The S-O (Progressive) strategy consists of investing in innovative technology and training, creating a sustainable seaweed processing industry, utilizing government program support, optimizing the use of cultivated areas and taking advantage of export opportunities. Keywords: SWOT analysis, Seaweed, Lontar Village.

Supply Chain-Based Coral Conservation: The Case of Mozuku Seaweed Farming in Onna Village, Okinawa

Blue foods, including seaweed, have been overlooked in food systems analysis and policy-making due to a lack of available data. However, seaweed cultivation is gaining attention as a restorative aquaculture that could contribute to ocean health by serving as blue carbon or nurturing seagrass beds. Commercial restorative aquaculture may provide market-based solutions for improving ocean health. The Onna Village Fisheries Cooperative producers have been restoring corals, knowing empirically that when the coral weakens, the yield of Mozuku seaweed drops. Furthermore, measures taken to reduce red soil run-off prevent the reduction in Mozuku quality and quantity and protect seagrass beds, since Mozuku cultivators have continued to use them as an important nursery. The fishery cooperative and the seaweed processing company, Igeta Takeuchi Co., Ltd., have jointly developed high-quality Mozuku that is resistant to climate change and extreme weather conditions through strain selection. Based on this case, this paper examines the following questions: (1) What quality assurance technique is necessary to continue restorative aquaculture as a market-based solution over the long term? (2) What social platforms and communication channels are available to stakeholders to maintain restorative aquaculture in the long run? To answer these questions, Japanese consumer cooperatives that established “the Mozuku Fund” are also examined. This case study of Mozuku highlights how the sustainability and quality of marine products are maintained throughout the whole supply chain, focusing on the power of the Japanese consumers’ cooperative.

Variation in heavy metals concentrations among seaweed species from Mkwiro seaweed farm, Kwale County, Kenya

This study, conducted at the Mkwiro seaweed farm in Kwale County, Kenya, aimed to assess the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd and Pb) and essential elements (Na, Fe, Ca, and K) in selected edible seaweed species. The study used a cross-sectional, descriptive research design and probability sampling method to collect data. Seaweed samples of three selected species, Cottonii (Kappaphycus alvarezii), Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca), and Bubble-green seaweed (Boergesenia forbesii) were collected in quadrants and subjected to chemical analysis. Statistical analyses were conducted using R Studio version 4.3.2, with a significance level set at α=0.05. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences in lead concentrations among seaweed types (χ² (2) = 7.01, p = 0.03). Cadmium concentrations did not show significant differences (χ² (2) = 3.88, p = 0.14). For calcium concentrations, ANOVA indicated no significant effect of seaweed type (F (2,33) = 0.6381, p = 0.5347). Iron concentrations differed significantly among seaweed types (χ² (2) = 23.35, p = 0.00000849), with B. forbesii having the highest median concentration. Potassium and sodium concentrations did not significantly vary among seaweed types (p &gt; 0.05). The study uncovers elevated cadmium levels in seaweed, indicating potential contamination risks. However, concentrations of essential elements were lower. To address these findings, it is recommended to initiate regular monitoring and pollution control measures in seaweed farms. Additionally, diversifying cultivation with low-metal species can enhance product safety and quality.