Relationships between Potentially Toxic Elements in intertidal sediments and their bioaccumulation by benthic invertebrates

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216767
• Publication Date: 2019-09-19T17:35:36Z
• Authors: Tom Sizmur; Lily Campbell; Karina Dracott; Megan Jones; Nelson J. O’Driscoll; Travis Gerwing
• Keywords: Biota; Marine invertebrates

The bioaccumulation of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) by benthic invertebrates in estuarine sediments is poorly understood. We sampled and analysed PTEs from five sites the Skeena Estuary (British Columbia, Canada), including adjacent to an abandoned cannery a decommissioned papermill. Our aim was elucidate baseline levels PTE concentrations at that may be recovering disturbance associated with prior industrial development identify organisms could used biomonitor impact future developments. There no indication salmon were polluted, but acidic papermill contained elevated Cd, Cr, Hg Pb. Benthic invertebrate community assemblages confirm have mostly recovered discharge sludge. Overall, we did not observe any relationship between sediment tissues. However, negative pH Biota-Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) most for Oregon pill bugs (Gnorimosphaeroma oregonensis). G. oregonensis, observed all sites, feeds on fibers discharge. Thus, oregonensis useful biomonitors quantifying papermill, are candidate assessing similar projects intertidal ecosystems.