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Size-Dependent Arsenic Accumulation in Scrobicularia plana in a Temperate Coastal Lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal)

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Abstract

Sediment, suspended particulate matter (SPM), water and clam Scrobicularia plana samples were collected in a temperate coastal lagoon with anthropogenic impact. Arsenic levels in sediments, SPM and water presented a spatial concentration gradient. A significant linear regression between arsenic levels in S. plana and SPM suggests particulate matter as the main route of arsenic exposure. Trend analysis showed that total arsenic concentrations in S. plana generally increased with size class, reflecting lifespan bioaccumulation. Despite being efficient in reflecting environmental contamination levels, results suggest that arsenic accumulation by S. plana may not be a passive process, given the proportionally lower accumulation in high contamination areas. Annual bioaccumulation rates ranged from 5.6 to 1 mg kg−1 year−1, suggesting a possible toxicity risk for individuals of the most contaminated area. Despite the absence of regulatory guidelines, food safety assessment highlighted possible adverse effects of consuming S. plana in most contaminated areas.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by European Funds through COMPETE and by National Funds through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) within project UID/AMB/50017/2013 (CESAM) and a Post-Doc grant to João Pedro Coelho (BPD/48449/2008).

Compliance with Ethical Standards

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest, that the research did not involve human participants and that all methodologies involving living organisms complied with animal welfare guidelines.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies) & Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    T. Ereira, J. P. Coelho, A. C. Duarte & M. E. Pereira

  2. CEF (Centre for Functional Ecology), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Apartado 3046, 3001-401, Coimbra, Portugal

    M. A. Pardal

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  1. T. Ereira
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  2. J. P. Coelho
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  3. A. C. Duarte
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  4. M. A. Pardal
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  5. M. E. Pereira
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Correspondence to J. P. Coelho.

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Ereira, T., Coelho, J.P., Duarte, A.C. et al. Size-Dependent Arsenic Accumulation in Scrobicularia plana in a Temperate Coastal Lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal). Water Air Soil Pollut 226, 213 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-015-2484-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-015-2484-5

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