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Trace metals in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum from the Mexican Caribbean coast
Author(s) -
Solís C.,
IsaacOlivé K.,
Martínez A.,
Lavoisier E.,
Ruiz Z.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
x‐ray spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.447
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1097-4539
pISSN - 0049-8246
DOI - 10.1002/xrs.1028
Subject(s) - thalassia testudinum , seagrass , environmental science , pollution , aquatic ecosystem , trace metal , seawater , environmental chemistry , marine ecosystem , ecosystem , oceanography , environmental protection , geography , ecology , chemistry , metal , geology , biology , organic chemistry
The impact of human activities on Mexican Caribbean zones is reflected in the partial or total destruction of these habitats and the increasing settlement of urban and tourist resorts. As a consequence, waste water discharged to sea increases the levels of chemical elements and foreign substances in the marine environment. In order to accomplish an adequate management and conservation of the coastal ecosystems, it is necessary to make an adequate diagnosis of the situation through factors that may monitor the vulnerability as well as the level of damage of the aquatic communities. In this work we present results on the use of seagrass Thalassia testudinum , as a potential bio‐indicator of metal pollution in Caribbean seawater. Seagrass was collected in Holbox and Puerto Morelos (considered as mildly influenced by human activities) in the State of Quintana Roo. Trace metals were determined by particle induced x‐ray emission (PIXE) and atomic absorption (AA). Results are reported for metals such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd. The metal distribution on the different parts of the plant, the differences between two sites, and the effect of season are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.