Arsenic concentrations and species in fish and shell-fish species from a tropical shallow reef eco-system, Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the concentrations and species of arsenic in different tissues of the various tropical marine fish and shellfish species in shallow reef eco-system affected by mining to determine if bioaccumulation of arsenic was occurring at different trophic levels and if arsenic concentrations reached levels that pose threats to human consumers. The study was undertaken at five locations around Lihir group of island affected by mining activity in Papua New Guinea. Total metals (As, Cu, Se and Zn) concentrations and arsenic species were measured is shellfish (Turbo and Trochus) and fish (Orange-lined triggerfish, Topsail drummer and Regal angelfish) as part of Phase 1 study. Target species were those frequently harvested for human consumption and were monitored by Lihir Gold Limited. Phase 2 study involved investigating arsenic concentrations and speciation in six fin-fish species in relation to their trophic levels (filter and deposit feeders, herbivore, omnivore, detritivores, piscivore, carnivore) from only two sites (mine impacted and non- mine impacted). Results from Phase 1 studies showed that metal (As, Cu, and Zn) concentrations in shellfish were similar to previous studies conducted during the mine’s baseline survey and ongoing monitoring while selenium concentrations were below method detection limits of 0.05),however, there was significant interaction between tissues and species (P

Date of Award	2017
Original language	English
Supervisor	Bill Maher (Supervisor) & Simon Apte (Supervisor)