Longitudinal survey of lead, cadmium, and copper in seagrass Syringodium filiforme from a former bombing range (Vieques, Puerto Rico).

•The United States Navy used half of Vieques, Puerto Rico and conducted military training exercises from 1947 to 2003.•We conducted a longitudinal study to compare lead Pb, Cd and Cu content in a seagrass collected at a former bombing range in Puerto Rico.•Pb, Cd, and Cu levels were consistently higher at the bombing range.•High variability in Pb and Cd content were observed with up to 14 and 17 times higher than seagrass from the control site.•Syringodium filiforme has the ability to bioaccumalate heavy metals from sediments and potentially can be used for restoration efforts.