Trace metals in sediments, macroalgae and benthic SPECIES FROM the western part of algerian coas

International audienceThe concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were measured in sediments and specimens of four marine organisms: green algae (Enteromorpha linza), red algae (Corallina officinalis), mollusc limpet (Patella ferruginea) and sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus). The samples were collected at four coastal stations located in two areas in the North-Western Algerian coast: Ghazaouet and Beni-saf. These areas are influenced by anthropogenic activities (harbour and industrial and urban wastes). Metal concentrations measured in sediments and biota indicated that the area of Ghazaouet was the most polluted. We found high variability of metal bioaccumulation among the four species analysed. The highest concentrations were recorded in the algae whereas metal concentrations in sea urchin and limpet were more correlated with sediments metal concentration