Mid-Atlantic elasmobranchs: Suitable metal scouts?
Heavy metals are a hazard to marine fauna and human health. In this study we assess stable isotopes and metal content in Prionace glauca and Isurus oxyrinchus and analyse these results within and among other species and across regions and geographical areas. Also, we evaluate their suitability, together with Raja clavata and Galeorhinus galeus, as Mid-Atlantic bioindicators. Prionace glauca and I. oxyrinchus shared the same trophic level in a pelagic food web and did not present significant differences between genders or metals, except for As. Arsenic and Hg accumulated while Cd and Pb were not detected. One I. oxyrinchus presented Hg values above regulatory limits. A high Hg exposure was associated with I. oxyrinchus since its maximum weekly intake was exceeded. Elasmobranchs can be used as metal sentinels, each presenting different key features which defines a good marine bioindicator, allowing long-term monitoring at different temporal and spatial scales.
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, Azores, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, 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, Azores, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.
Regina
R
Tristão da Cunha
IVAR, Instituto de Investigação em Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.
Armindo Dos Santos
ADS
Rodrigues
D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D020387:Food Chain; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D012754:Sharks
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury; D001151:Arsenic
Bioindicator; Galeorhinus galeus; Heavy metals; Isurus oxyrinchus; Prionace glauca; Raja clavata