Effect of sampling time on the heavy metal concentrations of brown algae: A bioindicator study on the Arabian Gulf coast

摘要: Abstract Macroalgae have often been studied as bioindicators for heavy metal pollution on sea coasts including the Arabian Gulf. On Gulf coasts, metals are continuously being released by industrial activities and therefore, monitoring is needed. Biomonitoring studies using macroalgae has given highly different assessments due to variability in algal species sampling time points. We carried out a systematic monthly of brown algae (Phaeophyta) from three locations western coast between September February 2018. One urban area (Uqair) two oil refining areas (Ras Tanura Jubail) were monitored they common composition. The incidence Cystoseira myrica, C. trinodis C. osmundacea, Hormophysa cuneiformis, Sargassum aquifolium, S. latifolium, S. filipendula Padina boryana varied among sites with year within sites. concentrations Co, Cd Pb sites, points remarkably. A tentative time-trend increasing towards was observed some species. However, it appeared that neither optimum point, nor superior could be recommended. highest accumulation boryana. this grew only polluted concluded can used biomonitoring should systematically chosen locally sampled at same year.