Trace element and stable isotope analysis of fourteen species of marine invertebrates from the Bay of Fundy, Canada.
The Bay of Fundy, Canada, is a macrotidal bay with a highly productive intertidal zone, hosting a large abundance and diversity of marine invertebrates. We analysed trace element concentrations and stable isotopic values of δ(15)N and δ(13)C in 14 species of benthic marine invertebrates from the Bay of Fundy's intertidal zone to investigate bioaccumulation or biodilution of trace elements in the lower level of this marine food web. Barnacles (Balanus balanus) consistently had significantly greater concentrations of trace elements compared to the other species studied, but otherwise we found low concentrations of non-essential trace elements. In the range of trophic levels that we studied, we found limited evidence of bioaccumulation or biodilution of trace elements across species, likely due to the species examined occupying similar trophic levels in different food chains.
Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada. Electronic address: matthew.english@acadiau.ca.
Matthew D
MD
English
Wildlife Research Division, Environment Canada, 6 Bruce Street, Mount Pearl, NL, A1N 4T3, Canada.
Gregory J
GJ
Robertson
Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada.
Mark L
ML
Mallory
D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms; D061006:Bays; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D020387:Food Chain; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D009674:Nova Scotia; D013045:Species Specificity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D008670:Metals; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Bay of Fundy; Marine invertebrates; Stable isotopes; Trace elements