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Heavy metals dynamics in seaweeds and seagrasses in Bahía Magdalena, B.C.S., México

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Abstract

The process of metal bioaccumulation in marine food chains is poorly understood because very little data is available on metal concentration at different trophic levels and their temporal or spatial variation. Because of that, we were interested to (1) determine the concentration range of heavy metals in seaweed and seagrasses species in Magdalena Bay; (2) describe the spatial and temporal variation of heavy metal concentrations in the seaweeds and seagrasses. Seasonal collections were done at Estero Banderitas in November 2004, February, and April 2005 wherein we divided the estuary into three major areas (upper, middle, and lower), and within each area, two sites were selected. Our results showed that iron, copper, and magnesium were the most significant metals found in seagrasses, red, and green algae. We found significant more variation in temporal heavy metal concentrations in relation to the maximum abundance in the samples and spatial variation in relation to the studied taxa suggesting that hervibores have a differential intake of the metals. Also, our results suggest that heavy metals might be incorporated regularly in the diet of many herbivorous animals with severe consequences to their health. Management strategies for these species should consider monitoring the levels of metals.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this project was provided by a grant to SC Gardner from the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Conacyt, SEP-2004-CO1-45749) and the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR). The authors express their appreciation to Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, Griselda Peña (CIBNOR), Rodrigo Rangel, and the Grupo Tortuguero for their assistance in this project. This research was conducted in accordance with Mexican laws and regulations, under permits provided by the Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SGPA/DGVS/002-2895). We deeply thank the comments from two anonymous reviewers to the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Investigación en Botánica Marina, Departamento de Biología Marina, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, 23080, Mexico

    R. Riosmena-Rodríguez & A. Talavera-Sáenz

  2. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR) Mar Bermejo #195, Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita. A.P. 128, 23090, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

    A. Talavera-Sáenz, B. Acosta-Vargas & S. C. Gardner

Authors
  1. R. Riosmena-Rodríguez
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  2. A. Talavera-Sáenz
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  3. B. Acosta-Vargas
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  4. S. C. Gardner
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Correspondence to R. Riosmena-Rodríguez.

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Riosmena-Rodríguez, R., Talavera-Sáenz, A., Acosta-Vargas, B. et al. Heavy metals dynamics in seaweeds and seagrasses in Bahía Magdalena, B.C.S., México. J Appl Phycol 22, 283–291 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-009-9457-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-009-9457-2

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