Metal accumulation in sea urchins and their kelp diet in an Arctic fjord (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard)

摘要

The Arctic marine environment is a significant repository of anthropogenic pollutants, including heavy metals (Bard, 1999; Muir et al., 1999; AMAP, 2002, 2005). Elevated concentrations of some toxic metals such as Hg, Pb, Se, and Cd have been reported from several marine birds and mammals (Ronald et al., 1984; Wagemann et al., 1996; Bard, 1999; Muir et al., 1999; Fant et al., 2001; AMAP, 2002, 2005; Dehn et al., 2006). Studies on metal accumulation in prey organisms in Arctic waters have been limited to some major pelagic species such as zooplankton and fish (Ritterhoff and Zauke, 1997; Dehn et al., 2006), despite the fact that a variety of prey organisms, including benthic invertebrates, constitute a major part of the diet for many Arctic marine mammals (Bustamante et al., 2004; Dehn et al., 2006, 2007). Several studies have already reported higher concentrations of Cd in Arctic seals that prey on benthic invertebrates rather than fish (Bustamante et al., 2004; Dehn et al., 2005).