Search   in
author
title
abstract
keywords
between years and
 
Heavy metals in crustaceans from the Iberian deep sea plain
F. Prowe, M. Kirf and G.-P. Zauke

Trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) were analysed in different well-defined mixed copepod and euphausiid samples as well as in individually analysed decapods collected during a cruise on board “RV Walther Herwig III” to the Iberian Deep Sea Plain in March and April, 2002. We found a substantial interspecific heterogeneity with partially high mean Cd levels in the decapods: 1.9 mg kg-1 dry weight in samples of the genus Sergia; 6.1 mg kg-1 in Acanthephyra pelagica (Risso, 1816) and Acanthephyra acanthithelsonis Bate, 1888; 10.7 mg kg-1 in Bentheogennema intermedia (Bate, 1888); 14.9 mg kg-1 in Benthesicymus iridescens (Bate 1881) and 16.3 mg kg-1 in Systellaspis debilis (A. Milne Edwards, 1881). The agreement of these high Cd concentrations with those reported for polar crustaceans, and Cu concentrations (17–56 mg kg-1) that indicate that the total metabolic requirements have probably not been met, support the hypothesis that the frequently reported Cd-anomaly in polar crustaceans might be extended to other relatively deep ocean waters like the Iberian Deep Sea Plain and that this might be related to a corresponding Cu deficiency. Zn concentrations in decapods from this study (52–80 mg kg-1) are within the worldwide range, which indicates that decapods are able to regulate their Zn body concentrations. Our preliminary data on mixed zooplankton samples suggest that Pb concentrations far below 1 mg Pb kg-1 might serve as a regional background value for comparison in biomonitoring studies. Results for Cd, Cu and Zn are largely within the reported range, especially for data from the Central and Southern North Sea.

Keywords: biomonitoring, trace metals, zooplankton, Cd-anomaly, interspecific heterogeneity.
Contents of this volume Sci. Mar. 70(2) : 271-279 Back PDF
 
 
Please, send comments to
ICM (CSIC) - Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49. E-08003 Barcelona (Spain)