Concentrations of trace metals in phytoplankton and zooplankton in the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Annabi-Trabelsi, Neila; Guermazi, Wassim; Karam, Qusaie; Ali, Mohammad; Uddin, Saif; Leignel, Vincent; Ayadi, Habib
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 168(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Food web -- Trace metals -- Phytoplankton -- Zooplankton; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112392
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: The concentrations of four trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) were investigated for the first time in phytoplankton, zooplankton, and the seawater samples collected from the coast of Gabès, Tunisia, Mediterranean Sea. For over 40 years, this coast has witnessed significant anthropogenic impacts form fertilizer processing. Results obtained for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in seawater far exceed the concentration reported for other Mediterranean coastal waters, highlighting the Gulf of Gabès as a pollution hotspot. The average metals concentration was in the order Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd in water, and phytoplankton, whereas Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd in zooplankton. The biomagnification in phytoplankton and zooplankton for Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd was 116, 56, 38, 31, and 127, 157, 30 and 27. The biomagnification of Zn and Pb was higher in zooplankton than phytoplankton, while Cu and Cd were higher in phytoplankton. Highlights: The average metals concentration in Gulf of Gabès was in the order Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd. The biomagnification in phytoplankton for Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd was 116, 56, 38, and 31. The biomagnification in zooplankton for Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd was 127, 157, 30 and 27. The phosphate processing plant in Gulf of Gabès is responsible for higher metal concentration in seawater.