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Metal bioaccumulation pattern by Cotylorhiza tuberculata (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) in the Mar Menor coastal lagoon (SE Spain)

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Abstract

Coastal lagoons are ecosystems highly vulnerable to human impacts because of their situation between terrestrial and marine environment. Mar Menor coastal lagoon is one of the largest lagoons of the Mediterranean Sea, placed in SE Spain and subjected to major human impacts, in particular the mining of metal sulphides. As a consequence, metal concentration in water column and sediments of this ecosystem is usually higher than in other areas. For monitoring ecosystem health, the present study has assessed the ability of Cotylorhiza tuberculata for bioaccumulating metals from sea water. Up to 65 individuals were sampled at 8 different sampling stations during the summer of 2012. Although the concentration values for different elements considered were moderate (Pb: 0.04-29.50 ppm, Zn: 2.27-93.44 ppm, Cd: 0-0.67 ppm, As: 0.56-130.31 ppm) by dry weight of the jellyfish tissues (bell and oral arms combined), bioconcentration levels in relation to seawater metal concentration were extremely high. In any case, the use or disposal of these organisms should consider their metal content because of their potential environmental and health implications.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank to Fundación Séneca for funding project 12038/PI/09. We thank the collaboration of J.M. Peñas, J.J. Saura, R. Baños, M. Saura and B. Villaescusa who helped us to improve this research and to Mr. and Mrs. Purves for their English grammar supervision.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Área de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agraria, Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT), Paseo Alfonso XIII 48, 30203, Cartagena, Spain

    Ana Muñoz-Vera & Gregorio García

  2. Área de Tecnología del Medio Ambiente, Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Ambiental, Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT), Calle Doctor Fleming s/n. 30203, Cartagena, Spain

    Antonio García-Sánchez

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  1. Ana Muñoz-Vera
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  2. Gregorio García
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Correspondence to Ana Muñoz-Vera.

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Responsible editor: Thomas Hutchinson

Highlights

Al, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sn and Pb were studied in a coastal lagoon.

Very low concentrations were found in the water of the studied coastal lagoon.

High accumulative capacity in Cotylorhiza tuberculata for all elements considered.

Elemental accumulation has been basically independent from location in the lagoon.

Management of this species should take into account their high metal content.

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Muñoz-Vera, A., García, G. & García-Sánchez, A. Metal bioaccumulation pattern by Cotylorhiza tuberculata (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) in the Mar Menor coastal lagoon (SE Spain). Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 19157–19169 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5119-x

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