Fish (dusky flathead-Platycephalalus fuscus and luderick-Girella tricuspidata) and shellfish (Anadara trapezia and Saccostrea commercialis) samples from Lake Illawarra in southeastern Australia were collected in 1993 and 2000 and analysed for a range of metals. Sediments with which the shellfish were in contact were also examined. The results were compared with shellfish data collected in 1976 and in an independent study in 1993. No reported data were available for comparison with the fish metal results. The results showed that trace metal concentrations in both fish and shellfish were generally low and represented minimal health risk. The dusky flathead, a predator species, had detectable concentrations of mercury, while the luderick, a herbivore, had values below detection limits. Metal concentrations in shellfish were in general agreement with those found in other studies, and showed that no apparent changes were occurring over time, except those that could be explained by changes in the age of the shellfish. Only copper in Lake Illawarra oysters showed greater concentrations than found in other southeastern Australian estuaries. It is recommended that future studies focus on organic and microbial contamination.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.