The concentration and biomagnification of trace metals and metalloids across four trophic levels in a marine food web. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Madgett, Alethea S.; Yates, Kyari; Webster, Lynda; McKenzie, Craig; Moffat, Colin F.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 173:Part A(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Metals -- Biomagnification -- Scotland -- Assessment -- Trophic -- Contamination; 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.2021.112929
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: To be able to assess progress towards "Good Environmental Status" adopted across European Member States, and by the United Kingdom through its 3-stage Marine Strategy, contaminant concentrations and their biological effects need to be assessed in environmental samples by comparison to assessment criteria. This study examines the variability of concentrations (inter- and intra- species variation) of three priority heavy metals (Hg, Cd and Pb) and six additional trace metals and metalloids (As, Ni, Se, Zn, Cu and Cr) in twenty-three species across four trophic levels from different locations around Scotland. Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) were calculated using two methods for metals/metalloids possessing a significant trophic relationship (Hg, Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn) to refine and improve the application of TMFs to assess and predict biomagnification risk of metals/metalloids to biota in the environment. It was concluded that a reasonable balance in sample numbers of lower- versus higher-trophic level organisms is highly recommended when calculating TMFs and appropriate species selection is vital to ensure TMFs accurately represent the selected ecosystem. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Mixed effects model analysis revealed Hg, Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn to have a significant relationship with trophic level. An unbalanced dataset influenced TMFs and in some cases, the overall conclusion on trophic transfer. The detected and trophic adjusted Hg concentrations in shark, fish and invertebrates were all above the EU Hg biota EQS. Factors required for the calculation of reliable TMFs raises questions on its application for environmental assessments.