Some Trace Element Concentration Variations Observed in Marine Organisms That Suggest Caution in Sampling

摘要

It is possible sometimes to learn about certain conditions prevailing in an environment by measuring trace element concentrations in the tissues of some of its inhabitants. Sometimes this is a most sensitive and economical method for monitoring environmental changes and for detecting anomalies at new locations. Nevertheless valid conclusions can be drawn only when records are available for tissue concentrations under normal, averaged or otherwise standardized conditions. Unfortunately records of this sort for concentrations of trace metals in the marine environment are scarce at present.