Abstract
Arsenic concentrations and species were compared in biota from two Zostera capricorni ecosystems. Mean
arsenic concentrations were not significantly different for non-vegetative sediment, rhizosphere sediment, Z. capricorni
blades, roots, rhizomes, epiphytes, amphipods, polychaetes, molluscs, crustaceans and fish, but were significantly
different in detritus. Sediments and plant tissues contained mostly inorganic arsenic and PO4â¿¿arsenoriboside. Detritus
contained mostly PO4â¿¿arsenoriboside. Fish tissues contained predominately arsenobetaine. Other animals had lower
proportions of arsenobetaine and variable quantities of minor arsenic species. Bioconcentration but not biomagnification
of arsenic is occurring with no evidence of arsenic hyper accumulation. The proportion of arsenobetaine increases through
the food web and is attributed to a shift from a mixed diet at lower trophic levels to animals containing mostly
arsenobetaine at higher trophic levels and the more efficient retention of arsenobetaine, compared to other arsenic species.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 9-18 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Environmental Chemistry |
Volume | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |