Abstract
Levels of barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury and vanadium were determined by plasma emission spectroscopy in sediments and oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in the Palizada, Chumpan and Candelaria rivers, which flow into the Terminos Lagoon, state of Campeche, Mexico. The relation between the condition index of the oyster and the detected elements were determined as well. Significant relations were observed between copper (r = −0.825, p < 0.05) and chromium (r = −0.787, p < 0.05), which indicates the oysters’ affectation by ingesting both elements; concurrently, the results confirm that oysters present high tolerance to heavy metals. The average concentration of cadmium (2.05 μg/g), chromium (1.82 μg/g) and copper (115.55 μg/g) in rainy-season climate exceeded the limits for marine mollusks regarding different health standards. It was found that the rainy season, the sediment characteristics and organic matter content have a great influence on the transport and availability of heavy metals.
Highlights
Coastal ecosystems are exposed to large amounts of untreated waste products dumped into the waterbodies from industrial and urban activities, contributing to the increase of certain contaminants; mainly pesticides, fertilizers and heavy metals (Huang 2003; Cuong et al 2005; Vane et al 2009)
Levels of barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury and vanadium were determined by plasma emission spectroscopy in sediments and oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in the Palizada, Chumpan and Candelaria rivers, which flow into the Terminos Lagoon, state of Campeche, Mexico
Other possible influence on the collection of heavy metals by the C. virginica is the mechanisms of atmospheric circulation and transport, the coastal circulation in the area and of the lagoon itself
Summary
Coastal ecosystems are exposed to large amounts of untreated waste products dumped into the waterbodies from industrial and urban activities, contributing to the increase of certain contaminants; mainly pesticides, fertilizers and heavy metals (Huang 2003; Cuong et al 2005; Vane et al 2009). Heavy metals are of special interest as they are highly persistent, toxic and have a potential for bioaccumulation in the organisms exposed to them (Shi and Wang 2004). They can be present throughout the food chain and may even pass on to humans. Given the diverse responses from individuals as well as from populations, a number of mollusks (marine animals) are employed as contamination indicators due to their ability to accumulate contaminants (Baqueiro et al 2007). The tolerance and adaptability of the bivalve mollusks have made them the preferred organisms for monitoring contaminants, and constitute reliable indicators of the quality of given ecosystems (Conti and Cecchetti 2003). Some physiological factors such as spawning and growth can directly affect their capacity as indicator organisms of contamination, while certain contaminants can affect said factors as well, which underscores the importance of better understanding the dynamics of these physiological processes
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