Sargassum spp. (Phylum: Ochrophyta, Class: Phaeophyceae): Elemental analysis and spatial distribution approximation

This review for the 1984-2023 period, includes a sampling sites information employing the Google Earth platform: https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1Qd72z9YXRpNVqmv5jqqJQftJlfS4JLgS?usp=sharing. The seaweed species mainly analyzed were: Sargassum polycistum, S. wightii, S. fluitans, S. natans, and S. muticum. The most common chemical analytes determined were: Cu, Mn, Zn (micromineral), Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Na, P (macromineral), As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb (PTE), C, H, N, S, O (organic elemental analysis). There were a few isotopic data for 210Po and 210Pb (radioactive) and 13C and 15N (light stable). The contamination risk evaluation was preliminary estimated through the indexes CF, Cd, PLI, Eri, and PERI using As, Pb, Cd, and Zn global reported concentration data for Mexico´s sampling sites and guideline limits available. In Europe there is regulation for macroalgae but not yet in Mexico. The preliminary indexes values obtained are higher considering the European Regulation is more severe than the Mexican Standards not specific to the use of biomass (NOM 187, NOM 242, and NOM 247). Thus, the analyzed Sargassum spp. seaweed could be classified as “high” risk for As and Cd content, and “moderate” for Pb and Zn.