Trophic transfer of metals in a seagrass food web: Bioaccumulation of essential and non-essential metals

Larissa Schneider*, William A. Maher, Jaimie Potts, Anne M. Taylor, Graeme E. Batley, Frank Krikowa, Aaron Adamack, Anthony A. Chariton, Bernd Gruber

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    38 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Metal concentrations are reported for a seagrass ecosystem receiving industrial inputs. δ13C and δ15N isotope ratios were used to establish trophic links. Copper concentrations (dry mass) ranged from <0.01 μg/g in fish species to 570 μg/g (μ = 49 ± SD = 90 μg/g) in the oyster Saccostrea glomerata. Zinc concentrations ranged from 0.6 μg/g in the seagrass Zostera capricorni to 10,800 μg/g in the mud oyster Ostrea angasi (μ = 434 ± 1390 μg/g). Cadmium concentrations ranged from <0.01 μg/g in fish species to 268 μg/g in Ostrea angasi (μ = 6 ± 25 μg/g). Lead concentrations ranged from <0.01 μg/g for most fish species to 20 μg/g in polychaetes (μ = 2 ± 3 μg/g). Biomagnification of metals did not occur. Organisms that fed on particulate organic matter and benthic microalgae had higher metal concentrations than those that fed on detritus. Species physiology also played an important role in the bioaccumulation of metals.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)468-480
    Number of pages13
    JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin
    Volume131
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2018

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