Photosynthetic response of two seaweed species along an urban pollution gradient: Evidence of selection of pollution-tolerant species

► Sargassum stenophyllum reduced photosynthetic performance towards urbanization. ► Ulva lactuca enhanced the photosynthetic performance towards urbanization. ► The two species have different mechanisms to cope with excess excitation energy. ► The energy distribution capacities at the PSII may be altered by pollution.