title: Impact of trace metals from past mining on the aquatic ecosystem: a multi-proxy approach in the Morvan (France).
abstract: This study seeks to determine to what extent trace metals resulting from past mining activities are transferred to the aquatic ecosystem, and whether such trace metals still exert deleterious effects on biota. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were measured in streambed sediments, transplanted bryophytes and wild brown trout. This study was conducted at two scales: (i) the entire Morvan Regional Nature Park and (ii) three small watersheds selected for their degree of contamination, based on the presence or absence of past mining sites. The overall quality of streambed sediments was assessed using Sediment Quality Indices (SQIs). According to these standard guidelines, more than 96% of the sediments sampled should not represent a threat to biota. Nonetheless, in watersheds where past mining occurred, SQIs are significantly lower. Transplanted bryophytes at these sites consistently present higher trace metal concentrations. For wild brown trout, the scaled mass and liver indices appear to be negatively correlated with liver Pb concentrations, but there are no obvious relationships between past mining and liver metal concentrations or the developmental instability of specimens. Although the impact of past mining and metallurgical works is apparently not as strong as that usually observed in modern mining sites, it is still traceable. For this reason, past mining sites should be monitored, particularly in protected areas erroneously thought to be free of anthropogenic contamination.
authors.affiliation: UMR 6298, ARTéHIS, Université de Bourgogne-CNRS-culture, Boulevard Gabriel, Bat. Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France. Electronic address: estelle.camizuli@u-bourgogne.fr.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Camizuli
authors.affiliation: UMR 6298, ARTéHIS, Université de Bourgogne-CNRS-culture, Boulevard Gabriel, Bat. Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Monna
authors.affiliation: UMR 6249, Chrono-Environnement, Université de Franche-Comté-CNRS, Place Leclerc, 25000 Besançon, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scheifler
authors.affiliation: UMR 6282, Biogeosciences, Université de Bourgogne-CNRS, Boulevard Gabriel, Bat. Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Amiotte-Suchet
authors.affiliation: UMR 7583, LISA, Universités Paris 7-Paris 12-CNRS, 61 avenue du Gal de Gaulle, 94010 Créteil Cedex, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Losno
authors.affiliation: UMR 6298, ARTéHIS, Université de Bourgogne-CNRS-culture, Boulevard Gabriel, Bat. Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beis
authors.affiliation: UMR 6298, ARTéHIS, Université de Bourgogne-CNRS-culture, Boulevard Gabriel, Bat. Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bohard
authors.affiliation: Université de Bourgogne, UFR SVTE, Bat. Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chateau
authors.affiliation: UMR 6282, Biogeosciences, Université de Bourgogne-CNRS, Boulevard Gabriel, Bat. Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alibert
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005602:France; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D008906:Mining; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Bioaccumulation; Body condition index; Bryophyte; Fluctuating asymmetry; Streambed sediment; Wild brown trout