Bioaccumulation of metals and PCBs in Raja clavata.
The goal of this study was to assess stable isotopes profiles, metals concentration and PCBs in Raja clavata muscle and liver, according to sex and size, and to elucidate its suitability as a Mid-Atlantic biomonitor. The results reflected bioaccumulation and suggested biomagnification processes for As and Hg in muscle tissue. Cd, Cu and Zn were detected in high amounts in liver, Cr, Mn and Rb were relatively stable and low, Pb was not detected and Sr was present in muscle at high levels, decreasing with length. Hg and Se were strongly correlated, suggesting a mitigation role. Both tissues presented low concentrations of PCBs, especially the dioxin-like congeners, although always higher in liver and not correlated with size. None of these contaminants exceed EU legislated limits. However, they need to be monitored given study area's location, volcanic nature and the expected increase of anthropogenic activity related to future prospective mining activities and the establishment of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between Europe and the USA.
CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores - Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Mãe de Deus, 58, 9500-801 Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal. Electronic address: biol.paulo@gmail.com.
Paulo
P
Torres
CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores - Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Mãe de Deus, 58, 9500-801 Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal.
Regina
R
Tristão da Cunha
IPMA, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, Avenida Brasília, 1446-009 Lisbon, Portugal.
Cristina
C
Micaelo
CVARG, Centro de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos, - Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Apartado 1422, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal.
Armindo Dos Santos
ADS
Rodrigues
D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D001394:Azores; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012860:Skates, Fish / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Biomonitor; Heavy metals; Mid-Atlantic; PCBs; Raja clavata; Stable isotopes