Recent trends in research on heavy-metal contamination in the sea

Abstract

Recent trends in the study of metal contamination in the sea are reviewed. Aspects of contamination which are considered include the input of metals to the sea and their deposition in the sediments, the influence of environmental and biological factors on the accumulation of metals by the biota and the use of organisms as indicators of contamination. Laboratory studies on the biological effects of metals and the problem of monitoring effects in the field are discussed. The importance of the metabohsm of metals by the biota is stressed since it is relevant to the adaptation of organisms to chronic contamination and to the attainment of very high levels in some commercial species. Finally, the abatement of contamination is discussed.

Metals in molluscs and associated bottom sediments of the southern baltic

“…The data obtained here are in agreement with those reported previously by Brzezifiska et al, (1984) for the southern Baltic molluscs; Macoma balthica accumulated particularly strongly Cu and Zn but Cd less efficiently than h4flilus edulis. Bryan (1980) recorded also significant bioavailability of these metals to East Looe Estuary molluscs; Zn and Cu had a maximum bioavailability to Macoma balthica, Ni to Cerastoderma edule (Cardium edule] and Cd to Mflilus edulis. It suggests that these molluscs as non-regulators incorporate quickly the trace metal levels from the environment because of their elevated biological tolerance and/or limited elimination with respect to the selected metals.…”

“…The ability of marine mussels to biologically incorporat9 trace metals in their tissues has been well estabhshed; most of the studies have been carried out on the soft tissue (Amiard et al, 1986;Bloom & Ayling, 1977;Bryan, 1980Bryan, , 1983Coleman et al, 1986;Cossa et al, 1979;Davies & Pirie, 1980;Di Giulio & Scanlon, 1985;Farrington et al, 1983;Galloway et al, 1983;Gault et al, 1983;Goldberg, 1975;Goldberg et al, 1978Goldberg et al, , 1983Hung et al, 1981Hung et al, , 1983Johnson & D'Auria, 1980;Julshamn, 1981;Karbe et al, 1977;Langston, 1986;Martinci~ et al, 1984;M6ller et al, 1983;Phillips, 1976aPhillips, , 1976bPhillips, , 1977bPhillips, , I977c, 1978Popham & D'Auria, 1983a, 1983bRitz et al, 1982;Segar et al, 1971;Slabyj & Carpenter, 1977;Szefer, 1986;Szefer & Szefer, 1985;Szefer & Wenne, 1987). However, the number of articles on the concentration or distribution of metals in shell material, particularly relating the metal concentration in the soft tissue to that in the shell is scanty (A1- Dabbas et al, 1984;Bertine & Goldberg, 1972;Carriker et al, 1980bCarriker et al, , 1982Chow et al, 1976;Ferrell et al, 1973;<...>…”

“…Compared to sediments, organisms exhibit a greater spatial sensitivity and a greater ability to concentrate some metals and therefore are often considered as bioindicators. Analysis of seawater and sediments are rarely carried out; the main disadvantage of the two non-biological monitoring methods is that neither allows for the estimation of the biological availability of the trace metals (Bryan, 1980).…”

Chromium uptake, distribution and loss in the mussel Mytilus edulis a structural ultrastructural and microanalytical study

“…The available data are of particular interest concerning filterfeeding bivalves which are well known for their ability to reflect environmental levels of trace metal contaminants in marine ecosystems. It is established that the mussel ~kfytilus edulis can concentrate metals (Bryan 1980) and various governmental agenci.es have adopted this species as a bioindicator of heavy metal pollution. M. edulis has several characteristics of a good indicator species, including the ability to accumulate high metal concentrations without dying, a sedentary way of life, high numerical abundance and an ability to adapt to laboratory conditions.…”

Trace Metals Contamination of Bottom Sediments of Abu Dhabi Area, UAE

“…Trace metals are natural constituents of all environments and are found in the seawater, marine organisms and sediments [10]. Therefore, knowing their natural background levels, or at least their permanent concentrations in a marine environment, is essential for detecting and assessing trace metal pollution [11].…”