Distribution of major elements in seaweeds of Visakhapatnam, east coast of India

Abstract

213-216Distribution of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Sr and ash has been reported in 24 seaweeds of Visakhapatnam coast. The order of abundance of the elements in seaweeds (Ca > K > Mg > Na > Sr) differs from that of seawater (Na > Mg > Ca > K) indicating preferential accumulation of K over. Na, and Ca over Mg in seaweeds resulting in higher K/Na and Ca/Mg ratios unlike in seawater. The extent of accumulation of elements differs in each class of algae and also from one species to the other in the same class