Metal Concentrations in Padina Species and Associated Sediment from Nayband Bay and Bostaneh Port, Northern Coast of the Persian Gulf, Iran

The status of metal concentrations including Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn and Fe in six species of Padina were determined in polluted (Nayband Bay) and unpolluted (Bostaneh port) areas on the Coast of the Persian Gulf. The mean concentrations of metals in the sediment of two locations were: Pb (12.64), Cd (3.59), Cu (21.74), Ni (17.00), Zn (32.00) and Fe (677.53) µg g-1 dry weight, respectively. In the present research, mean metal content in sediments and algae decreased in the following order: Fe > Zn > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cd. The highest Metal Pollution Index (MPI) value was recorded in Padina borgessenii was 25.02 at Nayband Bay. The positive correlations between metal contents in the sediment and almost in all species indicated that these algal species could absorb metals from sediments and play role as biomonitoringσ gents.