Spatiotemporal variation of the epifaunal assemblages associated to Sargassum muticum on the NW Atlantic coast of Morocco

The present study focused on the dynamics of the phenology and life cycle of the Phaeophyceae invader Sargassum muticum at three sites on the Atlantic coast of Morocco over a period of two years (2013 and 2014). The results showed that S. muticum has two distinct growth phases; one with slower growth in winter followed by one with faster growth in spring-early summer, when the species exhibited high elongation and branching activities with thalli length ranging from 1 to more than 5 m depending on the study site. The site S1, with a rocky substratum covered by submerged sands, promotes thalli elongation, with maximum lengths of 643.33 11.10 cm recorded in July. At the rocky sites (S2 and S3), the maximum length of the seaweed depends on the pools’ depth. Although the elongation of thalli is enhanced by the water body depth, the settlements’ density (5-48 ind. m–2) seems to be mainly related to the nature of the substrate. The maturity index progressively increases from spring to early summer, when it reaches the highest values. S. muticum seems to be more abundant and more easily acclimated in shallow rockpools (sufficiently lighted and semi-exposed to wave action at the mid and lower tidal levels) than in protected sandy bottom sites with low hydrodynamic forces.

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Hexavalent Chromium Uptake from Aqueous Solutions using Raw Biomass of the Invasive Brown Seaweed Sargassum muticum from the Moroccan Shorelines: Kinetics and Isotherms

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2016.v12n30p243 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (30) ◽

pp. 243

Author(s):

Samir El Atouani ◽

Soufiane Tahiri ◽

Abdeltif Reani ◽

Fouad Bentiss ◽

Mohammed El Krati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aqueous Solutions ◽

Hexavalent Chromium ◽

Atlantic Coast ◽

Brown Seaweed ◽

Sargassum Muticum ◽

Maximum Sorption Capacity ◽

Chromium Ions ◽

Biosorption Process ◽

Isotherm Equations ◽

Kinetics And Isotherms

Raw biomass of the invasive Japanese brown seaweed Sargassum muticum, recently introduced to the Atlantic coast of Morocco, has been applied for the removal of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Various parameters such as biomass dose, initial pH, contact time and initial Cr(VI) concentration were studied to reveal their effects on the biosorption process. At optimum values of the above mentioned parameters, total removal of Cr(VI) can be achieved within 10 min at pH 2, adsorbent dose of 0.5 g/100 mL for initial chromium ions concentration of 50 mg/L. Cr(VI) biosorption follows pseudo second-order kinetics. Adsorption isotherms were determined at room temperature and the experimental data were modelled with the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm equations. The isotherm data were found to be well fitted by linear Langmuir equation. The maximum sorption capacity calculated from Langmuir isotherm was estimated to be about 143 mg per gram of dry biosorbent. Thus, the biomass used in this study can be considered a promising and valuable natural adsorbent for the treatment of aqueous solution containing toxic hexavalent chromium ions.

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Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt (Fucales, Phaeophyta) in Morocco, an invasive marine species new to the Atlantic coast of Africa

Aquatic Invasions ◽

10.3391/ai.2013.8.1.11 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 97-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Brahim Sabour ◽

Abdeltif Reani ◽

Hachem EL Magouri ◽

Ricardo Haroun

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Coast ◽

Marine Species ◽

Sargassum Muticum ◽

Invasive Marine Species

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Effects of macroalgal identity on epifaunal assemblages: native species versus the invasive species Sargassum muticum

Helgoland Marine Research ◽

10.1007/s10152-011-0257-0 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 159-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ignacio Gestoso ◽

Celia Olabarria ◽

Jesús S. Troncoso

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Sargassum Muticum ◽

Epifaunal Assemblages

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Seasonal patterns of growth, alginate content and block structure of the alien invader Sargassum muticum (Fucales, Ochrophyta) from the Atlantic coast of Morocco

Botanica Marina ◽

10.1515/bot-2021-0050 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Zahira Belattmania ◽

Samir El Atouani ◽

Fouad Bentiss ◽

Charafeddine Jama ◽

Annalisa Falace ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vegetative Growth ◽

Block Structure ◽

Atlantic Coast ◽

Late Summer ◽

Early Summer ◽

Sargassum Muticum ◽

Early Autumn ◽

Commercial Applications ◽

Alien Invader ◽

G Ratio

Abstract In the present study, alginate yield and composition were investigated during the seasonal life cycle of the alien brown alga Sargassum muticum harvested from the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Alginate yield ranged from 11.14% in winter to 25.62% in spring/early summer, coinciding with maximum vegetative growth. Monthly monitoring of the alginate block structure showed that the highest mannuronate (M)/guluronate (G) ratio was recorded during the maximum development of S. muticum, before sexual maturity and during resumption of vegetative growth, giving maximum flexibility to the alga. The unusually high molar monad fractions (FG) and dyad fractions (FGG) of guluronic acid in late summer/early autumn appeared to be related to stiffness of senescent thalli. Rheological characterisation showed that the alginate of S. muticum exhibited pseudoplastic behaviour, with the highest apparent viscosities measured in late summer/early autumn when the G blocks dominated the alginate structure. This study suggests that S. muticum could be exploited as an alginophyte for commercial applications. The best harvest time is May-June, which corresponds to the highest alginate yield, maximum thallus growth, and largely completed sexual reproduction, ensuring sustainable exploitation of the species.

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