Abstract
Ulva reticulata is a marine macroalga recognized for its substantial nutritional value and bioaccumulation potential, making it as both a functional food and a sensitive bioindicator for marine monitoring. However, its capacity to sequester trace elements raises critical concerns regarding dietary safety. This study aims to characterize the multi-elemental profile of fourteen Ulva reticulata samples collected from the coastal zone of Ninh Thuan Province, Viet Nam, and assesses the associated human health risks using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and multivariate statistical analysis. The results identified sodium (Na) as the predominant element (35.7%), with estimated daily intakes exceeding recommended dietary levels. Multivariate analysis indicated that Na uptake is independent from the accumulation patterns of other elements, primarily reflecting environmental dependence. Some elemental clusters (K–Mg–As, Fe–Mn–Al, and Zn–Pb–Cu–Ni) exhibited strong co-accumulation mechanisms (r > 0.88). The Metal Pollution Index (MPI) reached 5.51, suggesting a considerable metallic level, mainly associated with Fe and Al. While most elements exhibited hazard quotient (HQ) values below unity, Arsenic (As) exceeded the safety threshold (HQ = 2.264). Given that this assessment was based on total As, these findings serve as an initial screening, necessitating further speciation analysis. The Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) followed the order of As > Ni > Cr > Cd > Pb, with As emerging as the primary driver of carcinogenic risk. These findings indicate the need for stringent monitoring of toxic metalloids in the region to mitigate long-term health risks.
Bui, T.H., Bui, V.L., Duong, D.T., Dinh, X.T., Nguyen, A.S., Vu, N.B. and Tran, H.N. (2026) Marine Pollution Bulletin, 230, p. 119840.