ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF MACROALGAE SPECIES AND WATER SAMPLES TAKEN FROM AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS IN DIFFERENT REGIONS FROM TURKEY

Studies on aquatic ecosystems are carried out a lot due to their importance. Aquatic ecosystems and macroalgae found there, are significant markers used to demonstrate the elemental composition of the environment in which they are located. Furthermore, determining the content of macroalgae has importance in many countries as they are used as food supplements. In our study, elemental analysis of water and macroalgae, are made that samples taken from inland salty water ecosystem the Act Lake and the Aegean Sea coastal area in Turkey. The data obtained were evaluated according to regulations. As a result, the elements examined in the water samples taken from the Act Lake and the Aegean Sea were found below the maximum values of the Surface Water Quality Regulation. When the algae samples are examined in terms of being a food source, the researched elements were determined above the tolerable intake amounts according to the World Health Organization standards. According to Turkish Food Codex standards. Ca, K, Mg, Cu elements were found within the daily maximum limits. In some algae samples, Fe. Mn, Mo, P, Se, Zn elements were found higher than the daily maximum limits. Depending on the results obtained from the analysis. we anticipate that these macroalgae can be used as a potential supplementary food for humans and aquaculture creatures instead of being directly used as food due to their high element content.