Transference of heavy metals (Hg,Cu, Pb and Zn) with the trophic structure in a polyculture pond: evidence from nitrogen stable isotope |
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| Authors: | Jian‐Xiang Feng Qin‐Feng Gao Shuang‐Lin Dong Zhen‐Long Sun |
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| Affiliation: | Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China |
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| Abstract: | Concentrations of heavy metals, including Hg, Cu, Pb and Zn, in sediment and different organisms as well as the transference through the food web in a polyculture pond were investigated. The δ15N values of consumers showed a gradual enrichment with increasing trophic positions from the filter‐feeding bivalves (δ15N = 10.93 on average) to the predators (δ15N ≥ 12.59 for all crustacean and fish). Concentrations of heavy metals in sediments followed the decreasing order: Cu ≈ Zn > Pb > Hg, while in organisms, the order was Zn > Cu > Pb > Hg. Concentration of Cu was negatively related to the δ15N values of the animal tissues (P < 0.05), indicating the decrease in the Cu concentration with increasing trophic positions. Concentrations of Hg, Pb or Zn did not show significant relationship to the trophic positions. Food sources and feeding guilds of organisms might be more important factors determining the heavy metal concentrations in the body tissues of aquatic animals than their trophic positions. |
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| Keywords: | biomagnification δ 15N trophic tra‐nsference polyculture |
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