Bioaccumulation of potentially toxic elements in Ammonia tepida (foraminifera) from a polluted coastal area. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Castelo, Wellen F.L.; Alves Martins, Maria Virginia; Martínez-Colón, Michael; da Silva, Layla C.; Menezes, Celma; Oliveira, Thales; Helena de M Sousa, Silvia; Aguilera, Orangel; Laut, Lazaro; Laut, Vanessa; Duleba, Wânia; Frontalini, Fabrizio; Bouchet, Vincent M.P.; Armynot du Châtelet, Eric; Francescangeli, Fabio; Geraldes, Mauro C.; Reis, António T.; Bergamashi, Sérgio
• Is Part Of: Journal of South American earth sciences. Volume 115(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Sediment -- Pollution -- Metals -- Enrichment factors -- Foraminiferal trace elements -- Bioaccumulation index -- Sepetiba bay -- Brazil; Geology -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Geology -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Geology -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Géologie -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geology; Antarctica; Caribbean Area; Latin America; Periodicals; 550.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2022.103741
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9811

Abstract

Abstract: This work documents the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the sediment and in tests of Ammonia tepida, one of the most common benthic foraminifera species in coastal environments worldwide. It aims to analyze if the presence of PTEs in the carbonate test of this species is related to metals concentration in the sediment aiming its application in paleoenvironmental studies. Three chambers of fifty A. tepida specimens from contaminated and uncontaminated sediments from the Sepetiba Bay, one of the most polluted coastal systems from the SE Brazil, were analyzed using an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope coupled with an X-ray Dispersive Energy Spectrometer. The results reveal the presence of lithogenic elements and PTEs in the tests of A. tepida . Relatively high values of Pb, Hg and Sn were found in specimens recovered from both polluted and unpolluted sediment layers. The bioaccumulation index revealed higher enrichment of Cd and Cr in tests from sediments moderately to heavily polluted by Cd and to a lesser extent by Cr. The results suggest that the incorporation of metals might be controlled and affected by several factors, such as the water residence time, availability of the metals, and biogeochemical processes. As a result, applications of this method utilizing A. tepida for paleoenvironmental studies do not appear to be feasible without further research. Highlights: Environmental stressors, namely pollution by potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Concentration of PTEs in the sediment and in Ammonia tepida tests. Complex relationship between the PTEs present in the sediment and A. tepida tests. Ammonia tepida accumulates PTEs that could be transferred through marine food chains.