Abstract
The species, spatial-temporal distribution, sources, correlations with physiochemical factors, and the contamination of trace metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn) were investigated in a typical mariculture area of North China. The concentrations of three species of trace metals, including total dissolved, dissolved reactive, and dissolved inert, were obtained. The total dissolved concentrations of Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn ranged within 1.75-8.08, 0.43-2.75, 0.07-0.29, and 2.58-30.28 μg/L, respectively. These ranges were measured over five months (March, May, July, September, and November) and their concentrations decreased in the following order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. The concentrations of Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn decreased from nearshore to offshore, showing a distinctly regional variation. All concentrations of trace metals over the whole mariculture area were lower than the grade-II seawater quality standard of China. The relationships between trace metals with micronutrient metal (Fe) and other environmental factors (i.e., temperature, chlorophyll a, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity) were studied in detail. Discharged industrial and aquaculture effluents, uptake by organisms, and atmospheric deposition resources were found to be possible sources of trace metals in the studied area. Sea current and physicochemical parameters were factors that possibly influenced the spatial-temporal distribution of trace metals.
Highlights
Trace metals (TMs) are important micronutrients in marine systems and are essential for the growth of organisms (Morel et al, 2003; Li et al, 2017; Posacka et al, 2017)
This study investigated species, spatial-temporal distribution, sources, correlations with physiochemical factors, and contamination of specific TMs (Cu, Pb, contamination degree (Cd), and Zn) in the typical mariculture area of North China
The concentrations of TMs (Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn) in different species in the surface seawater of Sishili Bay during the five investigated months are listed in Supplementary Table S2
Summary
Trace metals (TMs) are important micronutrients in marine systems and are essential for the growth of organisms (Morel et al, 2003; Li et al, 2017; Posacka et al, 2017). A number of TMs can be limiting factors to the primary production of an ecosystem if their concentrations are too low (Martin et al, 1994; Maldonado et al, 2006). Trace Metals in Mariculture Area concentrations exceed a certain threshold, they may become toxic for marine organisms (Sunda et al, 1987; Moffett et al, 1997; Hook and Fisher, 2001; Rivera-Duarte et al, 2005; Dong et al, 2015). Once excess TM enters the body through the food chain, it will be detrimental for human health
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
