AI Article Synopsis
- The study investigated trace metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) in phytoplankton, zooplankton, and seawater off Gabès, Tunisia, revealing significant pollution due to decades of fertilizer processing.
- The Gulf of Gabès showed metal concentrations in seawater exceeding other Mediterranean regions, with the order of metal prevalence being Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd in water and phytoplankton, while zooplankton showed Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd.
- Biomagnification rates indicated that Zn and Pb accumulated more in zooplankton than in phytoplankton, whereas Cu and Cd had higher biomagnification in phytoplankton.
Article Abstract
The concentrations of four trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) were investigated for the first time in phytoplankton, zooplankton, and the seawater samples collected from the coast of Gabès, Tunisia, Mediterranean Sea. For over 40 years, this coast has witnessed significant anthropogenic impacts form fertilizer processing. Results obtained for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in seawater far exceed the concentration reported for other Mediterranean coastal waters, highlighting the Gulf of Gabès as a pollution hotspot. The average metals concentration was in the order Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd in water, and phytoplankton, whereas Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd in zooplankton. The biomagnification in phytoplankton and zooplankton for Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd was 116, 56, 38, 31, and 127, 157, 30 and 27. The biomagnification of Zn and Pb was higher in zooplankton than phytoplankton, while Cu and Cd were higher in phytoplankton.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112392 | DOI Listing |
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