Oman Sea region is a major gateway for international and local shipping. Metal pollution of aquatic environment is primarily caused by such shipping and industrial activities. Agricultural runoffs are also of concern. Seaweed contamination with heavy metals in this area is therefore a distinct possibility. We examined seaweed of Oman Sea for heavy metal content and potential risk of its consumption to the public. During winter of 2019, water, sediment, and seaweed were collected along twelve stations on the coast of Oman Sea. Triplicates of each sample were analyzed for metal content by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Biomarkers of metals in seaweed (metallothionein and phytochelatin) were also analyzed. A significant positive correlation exists among levels of Zn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Fe in water, sediment, and seaweed (P < 0.05). Cadmium correlations were weak. The highest levels of metallothionein and phytochelatin were found in brown and red seaweed (118.6 µg/g wet weight, 16.4 amol/cell; 111.4 µg/g ww, 12.1 amol/cell), respectively. For nickel and lead, human consumption of red, brown, and green seaweed was associated with “some health hazard,” with a target hazard quotient of > 1. We conclude that concerns over heavy metal contamination of some parts of Oman Sea are valid, and we invite policy makers to implement measures for protection of public and environment from metal toxic effects in the region.

阿曼海地区是国际和本地航运的主要门户。水环境的金属污染主要是由此类航运和工业活动造成的。农业径流也令人担忧。因此，该地区的海藻被重金属污染是一种明显的可能性。我们检查了阿曼海海藻的重金属含量及其对公众食用的潜在风险。2019 年冬季，在阿曼海沿岸的 12 个站点收集了水、沉积物和海藻。通过原子吸收光谱分析每个样品一式三份的金属含量。还分析了海藻中金属的生物标志物（金属硫蛋白和植物螯合素）。水、沉积物和海藻中 Zn、Ni、Pb、Cr、Cu 和 Fe 的含量呈显着正相关（P < 0.05)。镉相关性较弱。在棕色和红色海藻中发现最高水平的金属硫蛋白和植物螯合素（118.6 µg/g 湿重，16.4 amol/细胞；111.4 µg/g ww，12.1 amol/细胞）。对于镍和铅，人类食用红色、棕色和绿色海藻与“一些健康危害”相关，目标危害商大于 1。我们得出结论，对阿曼海某些部分的重金属污染的担忧是有道理的，我们邀请政策制定者在该地区实施保护公众和环境免受金属毒性影响的措施。