Abstract
Seaweed has become an alternative food source because of its high nutrients. However, human activities that pollute the environment through industrial and household waste cannot be avoided. It is important to understand concentration of heavy metals in seaweed for potential application. This study analyzed the concentrations of heavy metals (Lead, Manganese, Cadmium, Copper, and Arsenic) in is important to understand concentration of heavy metals in seaweed for potential application. This study analyzed the concentrations of heavy metals (Lead, Manganese, Cadmium, Copper, and Arsenic) in Caulerpa racemosa, Sargassum ilicifolium, Turbinaria ornata, Caulerpa taxifolia, Ulva lactuca, and Iyengaria stellata collected from Mandapam (Tamil Nadu), Okha, and Veraval (Gujarat). For each sample, 0.5 g of dried material was analyzed. The highest heavy metal concentration was Lead (Pb) in all seaweed species, with the order of abundance being Pb > Mn > Cd > Cu > As. The Metal Pollution Index (MPI) at all sites remained below the threshold for pollution (Not Impacted), with average MPI values of 0.2949 for Mandapam, 0.2690 for Okha, and 0.2836 for Veraval. However, the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) results indicated unsafe consumption across all samples due to Lead (Pb) levels exceeding the critical limit (THQ > 1), while the concentrations of other heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Mn, As) remained below the THQ values for all categories (children, women, and men).