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The Relationships Between Metal Speciation in the Environment and Bioaccumulation in Aquatic Organisms

  • Chapter
Complexation of trace metals in natural waters

Part of the book series: Developments in Biogeochemistry ((DBGC,volume 1))

Abstract

Recent advances in methodology have resulted in a much better understanding of the speciation of metals in natural waters. However, despite the realization that the speciation of elements is important in terms of bioavailability and toxicity, progress in understanding the relationships between metal levels in organisms and those in the environment has been slow. Furthermore, emphasis has generally been placed on the bioaccumulation and toxicity of dissolved metals, although in many organisms sediment particles or food may be the most important sources. The ability of aquatic organisms to accumulate metals from a number of different sources complicates organismenvironment relationships. In addition, these relationships are markedly influenced by the differing capacities of organisms to metabolise metals. Thus, variations between the toxicities of metals to different species depend not only on the bioavailability of the metal in the environment but also on the physiological state of the organism. It is also important to evaluate speciation of metals within the framework of their roles as essential (for example Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Co) or non-essential elements (Hg, Cd, Ag) bearing in mind that some metals can exert beneficial effects at low concentrations and harmful ones at higher levels.

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Authors
  1. W. J. Langston
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  2. G. W. Bryan
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands

    C. J. M. Kramer

  2. Institute for Marine Research, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany

    J. C. Duinker

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Langston, W.J., Bryan, G.W. (1984). The Relationships Between Metal Speciation in the Environment and Bioaccumulation in Aquatic Organisms. In: Kramer, C.J.M., Duinker, J.C. (eds) Complexation of trace metals in natural waters. Developments in Biogeochemistry, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6167-8_35

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6167-8_35

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  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-6167-8

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