Assessment of the risk associated with mining-derived arsenic inputs in a lagoon system.

Southern Mediterranean lagoons are considered among the systems most vulnerable to anthropogenic activities. In its present condition, the Mar Menor lagoon in south-eastern Spain must be considered as degraded as a result of the pressures to which its shoreline is exposed. These include the transport of arsenic from nearby mining areas, linked to soluble or particulate run-off following rainfall events and flooding.

Influence of waterborne arsenic on nutritive and potentially harmful elements in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata).

Fish are an important source of nutrients in human nutrition. Although arsenic (As) is considered potentially carcinogenic for human being, very little is known about its toxicity in fish biology. To increase our knowledge of the effect of exposure to waterborne As on fish, gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) were exposed to 5 μM AsO and the bioaccumulation of macronutrients (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P), micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn) and Potentially Harmful Elements (As, Cd) was determined using spectrometric techniques.