Metals in coastal mollusks of Costa Rica

Abstract

Abstract:The input of contaminants to coastal ecosystems is a global problem on the rise. Data on metal pollution from tropical sites is often lacking and pilot surveys are urgently needed to provide a general framework to estimate the relative impact of these and other pollutants. The objective of this study was to make accessible data on trace metals collected during pilot surveys (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006) at four coastal embayments of Costa Rica. Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn were analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS) and Al, Cd, Ni, Pb and Sn by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS). Concentrations of Fe, Pb, Zn, Mn, and Ni were determined by FAAS or GFAAS, in tissues of the rock snail Acanthais brevidentata, the infaunal bivalves Anadara tuberculosa and Tagelus affinis (from three Pacific sites: Culebra Bay, Gulf of Nicoya, and Golfito Bay) and in the clam Polymesoda arctata from the Caribbean coast (Moín Bay). In addition, Sn, Cd and Cu were evaluated in tissues of T. affinis. A group of specimens of T. affinis was depurated for 72 hours in filtered seawater from the collection site. Concentrations varied between and within sites and also between parts of the same The relatively high concentration of Pb was probably related to the use at the time of sampling of leaded fuel in small boat operations at the site, while no evident cause was found for the high Mn values. Depuration was partially effective in lowering the metal burden in T. affinis. Data gathered during the pilot survey were indicative of relatively clean conditions of Culebra Bay, while the other three sites have important concentrations of certain contaminants, including metals. In spite of the fact that this data was collected more than a decade ago, it remains as the most recent available on trace metals from coastal mollusks of Costa Rica. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (4): 1007-1019. Epub 2015 December 01.

Bioaccumulation of some trace elements in tropical mangrove plants and snails (Can Gio, Vietnam)

“…Malaysia (Yap and Cheng 2013), in India (Palpandi and Kesavan 2012), in Costa Rica (Vargas et al 2015), or in Senegal (Sidoumou et al 2006).…”

Metals in bivalve mollusks from the Jaco Scar seep, Pacific, Costa Rica

“…As a comparison of maximum concentrations (µg/g) of metals in non-depurted specimens of the intertidal razor clam, Tagelus affinis from a sand flat in the upper Gulf (Vargas et al, 2015) indicates that the razor clam accumulated certain metals more than the Jaco Scar clams, while other metals were within the range. However, T. affinis was able to lower concentrations of certain metals after a 72 h depuration in clean sea water (Vargas et al, 2015). Higher concentrations of Fe and Zn in tissues of T. affinis and other invertebrates from the sand flat were related to the presence of metal rich sediments at the site.…”

“…Nine metals (Aluminum, Cadmium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Nickel, Tin and Zinc) were selected for analysis. All metal determinations were performed as described in Vargas et al (2015): Tissue samples were weighed after drying in an oven at 65 ºC for 48 h. The rock fragment from the site, as well as the sediment trapped in clam #08, were included in the metal analysis. Dried samples were ground to powder and sub-samples of 1.00 g to 4.00 g placed in Teflon containers with 6 mL of high purity nitric acid, 2 mL of high purity hydrochloric acid, and pressure-digested in a microwave oven (CEM ® MARSx).…”

“…Samples of coastal bivalve mollusks from the Gulf of Nicoya were being analyzed at the time for metal concentrations (Vargas, Acuña-González, Gómez, & Molina, 2015) Most of the reports on trace metals in deep sea clams come from specimens collected at hydrothermal vents, where strong water temperature gradients are typical. Thus, the access to samples of bivalves from the Jaco Scar cold seep was kindly allowed upon request by the senior author.…”