Occurrences and ecotoxicological risks of trace metals in the San Benito Archipelago, Eastern Pacific Ocean, Mexico

S. B. Sujitha, M. P. Jonathan, Lorena Elizabeth Campos Villegas, Claudia J. Hernández-Camacho

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7 Citas (Scopus)

Resumen

Trace metal concentrations (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Hg) were determined in water, sediment and biota samples collected from the San Benito Islands off the Pacific Coast of Baja California, Mexico for a geochemical forensic study. Due to the proximity to the continental – oceanic crust interface and high biological endemism, the islands demanded a profound geochemical survey for evaluating the presence and provenance of trace metals. Results suggested that the metals in the region are mainly originated from the geogenic sources (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co), deep water circulation (Cd), atmospheric deposition (Pb) and hydrothermal processes (As). Dissolved phase is the major metal carrier of Pb with an average value of 0.182 mg L−1, while Fe (1.60%), Mn (335.42 mg kg−1), Ni (61.77 mg kg−1), Zn (32.36 mg kg−1) and Cr (28.7 mg kg−1) are mainly present in the particulate phase. High values of Pb, As, Cd and Hg in biota with no biological functions are highly toxic and are especially critical to those predators (Sea lions) in the region due to the process of biomagnification. For a qualitative exposure assessment of trace metals, several indices namely Heavy metal Evaluation Index (HEI), Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI), Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) and Biota Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) were calculated. The indices revealed that the overall pollution status of the region is “moderate”. This study advocates a preliminary environmental surveillance in trace metal concentrations for implementing better conservation strategies in maintaining and promoting the ecological richness and endemism of the islands.

Idioma originalInglés
Número de artículo105003
PublicaciónOcean and Coastal Management
Volumen184
DOI
EstadoPublicada - 1 feb. 2020

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