Abstract: The study was performed to determine the contents of 12 elements including Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Pb, Zn and Sn in Porphyra haitanensis grown in southern China and Porphyra yezoensis grown in northern China by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that the contents of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Se in Porphyra yezoensis were significantly higher than those in Porphyra haitanensis, but the contents of As, Mo, Cd, Zn and Sn in Porphyra haitanensis were significantly lower than those in Porphyra yezoensis. In addition, there was no significant difference in Pb content between them. Further analysis through the national food safety standard showed that the Pb content of Porphyra haitanensis and Porphyra yezoensis did not exceed the standard.