The Bioremediation Potential of Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) Causing Green Tide in Marchica Lagoon (NE Morocco, Mediterranean Sea): Biomass, Heavy Metals, and Health Risk Assessment

Pollution by heavy metals is one of the most serious issues in world, and principal sources are manufacturing, fertilizers, mining, pesticides, transport, wastewater discharge. In this study, presence macroelements (Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P)) (Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), Cooper (Cu), Manganese (Mn)) green tide caused seaweed Ulva lactuca from Marchica lagoon (NE-Morocco, Mediterranean) was evaluated. The mean values P N algae were 1773.33 mg·kg −1 44.4 g·kg −1, respectively. have following descending sequence: Fe > Mn Zn Cu Ni Pb Cr Cd. This finding has suggested that strongest affinity to among examined. Mn, Fe, recorded highest bioconcentration factors (BCFs), which 1687, 1656, 1643, Regarding their contribution Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), showed a 13.58% RDA, while varied between 4.42 % 28.42%. health risk assessment did not indicate any hazard related ingestion lactuca. Therefore, study suggests Nador potential bioaccumulate mitigate eutrophication.