Abstract

The influx of large masses of the macroalgae Sargassum has impacted coastal activities regionally. including Jamaica. To address these nuisance blooms. including the possible valorisation of the algae. studies including elemental investigations have been undertaken. One hundred and five fresh Sargassum samples were collected from across six sites along Jamaica’s coast inclusive of the species S. fluitans III and S. natans (morphotypes I & VIII). Neutron activation analysis was used to analyse the samples for the elements. Al. As. Br. Ca. Cl. Co. Cs. Eu. Fe. K. La. Mg. Rb. Sb. Sc. Sm. Sr. & Zn. The Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80) was used to analyse for Hg. Statistical analysis. including factor analysis. Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and agglomerative hierarchal clustering (AHC). were used to discern patterns in the holopelagic species collected for this study. The results of the elemental analysis indicated high levels of the potentially toxic metalloid arsenic and relatively low concentrations of the potentially toxic metal mercury in all species. The results of the statistical analysis indicated that there are significant differences in the levels of some elements (Al. Cl. Co. Fe. Hg. K. La. Mg. Rb. & Sm) in S. fluitans III. S. natans I and S. natans VIII and that that location and by extension residence time in coastal waters before collection may influence elemental content. The study also suggested more similarity between S. fluitans III and S. natans VIII compared to S. natans I. The study fills the gap in knowledge on species composition needed for valorization interests.

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