Bioaccumulation of Hg, Cu, and Zn in the Azores triple junction hydrotherinal vent fields food web

Type Article
Date 2006-12
Language English
Author(s) Colaco Ana1, Bustamante Paco2, Fouquet Yves3, Sarradin Pierre-MarieORCID4, Serrao Santos R1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Univ Azores, IMAR, Dept Oceanog & Fisheries, PT-9901862 Horta, Azores, Portugal.
2 : Univ La Rochelle, CNRS, FRE 2727, Lab Biol & Environm Marins, F-17042 La Rochelle, France.
3 : IFREMER, Ctr Brest, Dept Geosci Marines, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
4 : IFREMER, Ctr Brest, DEEP Lab Environm Profond, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
Source Chemosphere (0045-6535) (Elsevier), 2006-12 , Vol. 65 , N. 11 , P. 2260-2267
DOI 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.05.034
WOS© Times Cited 53
Keyword(s) Mid Atlantic Ridge, Trophic relations, Trophic transfer, Biomagnification, Vent ecosystems, Heavy metals
Abstract In this work, mercury (Hg), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations and tissue distribution are determined in seven benthic invertebrates species (the key species) from the Mid Atlantic Ridge (MAR) hydrothermal vent fields. The samples were collected from three hydrothermal vent fields - Menez Gwen, 840 m;, Lucky Strike, 1700 m and Rainbow, 2300 m - near the Azores Triple Junction. These fields are characterized by different depths, geological context and chemical composition of the hydrothermal fluid, particularly the metal content, which is reflected by the metal concentrations in the organisms. Indeed, our results show that organisms from Menez Gwen presented the highest Hg concentrations, while those from Lucky Strike and Rainbow were richer in Cu and Zn. The potential transfer of these metals through two trophic links are also evaluated and include (1) the mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus and the commensal worm Branchipolynoe seepensis, and (2) three different species of shrimps and the crab Segonzacia mesatlantica. No evidence of Hg biomagnification in either of the vent food chains is clearly observed but an increase in Hg accumulation from prey to predator in the crustacean food chain. The same pattern was observed for Cu and Zn, even though these metals are not known to be generally biomagnified in food chains.
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