Levels of toxic metals in marine organisms collected from Southern California coastal waters.

Abstract

Emission of toxic trace metals into southern California coastal waters has resulted in the extensive accumulation of the elements within marine sediments. The current study was undertaken to evaluate concentrations of trace metals in bottom-dwelling marine fauna collected from two sampling areas. Analyses carried out on muscle samples of the dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) and the crab (Cancer anthonyi) by proton-induced x-ray emission analysis showed considerable concentrations of arsenic and selenium. Samples of gonads, digestive gland, and muscle from the crab Mursia gaudichaudii analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy showed elemental concentrations in muscle similar to the crab Cancer anthonyi and much higher metal levels in gonad and digestive gland. These findings suggest the need for further studies concerning the relationship between emission of metals into the marine environment and their abundance in marine fauna.Many tons of trace metals, potentially toxic to marine life, are annually released into the southern California coastal basins as a result of industrialization and urbanization in the Los Angeles area (1). These elements have accumulated to high concentrations in the bottom sediments of these basins (1-4). Tissue burdens of trace metals in organs of bottom dwelling marine species inhabiting the basins have received only limited attention (5). This report details levels of 18 trace elements in muscle samples of the dover