EN24024A comprehensive analysis of water-soluble arsenicals in Icelandic macroalgae
Environmental context. Seaweeds are known to accumulate high levels of arsenic, and cellular concentrations may reach several orders of magnitude higher than that of the surrounding environment. Arsenic may be methylated by seaweed cells and further metabolised to water-soluble arsenic-containing sugars through unknown pathways. Whether these compounds are the result of a detoxification process or are produced with a biological purpose remains to be seen. (Image credit: Rebecca Sim.)