PROSPECTIVE ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF ALGALBIOMASS ACUMULATEDAT THEDOMINICAN REPUBLICSHORES DURING 2015

Abstract

The massive accumulation and decomposition of theSargassum natansandSargassumfluitansbrown seaweedson theAntilleanshores has become a major problem in CentralAmerica and the Caribbean, seriously affecting tourism. However,the value of the algalbiomass should not be underestimated, sinceitcontains bioactive compounds withindustrial application or in a more traditional use as fertilizers.On the other hand,seaweeds havetheability to bioaccumulate toxic metals such as Hg, Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr,among others. In order to ensure the safety of this biological material in its possibleapplications, it hasbeencarried outa prospective study of the content in differenttransition metals and rare earths. Slightly elevated mercury levels were detected, whichcould limit the use of biomass. The content in Sc (scandium), Y (yttrium) and 14lanthanides (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu), collectivelyknown as rare earths, was also determined, being higher than in the ocean levels.This isconsistent with the hypothesis that places the origin of these algae to more southernlatitudes, where they proliferate in the shelter of themouth of large rivers.