X ray microanalysis of northeastern Quintana Roo aquatic biota, Mexico: evidence of hazard metals presence

• Published in: Latin american journal of aquatic research Vol. 47; no. 4; pp. 654 - 664
• Main Authors: Alvarado, Jesus, Andrade, Silvia, Caballero, Jose, Almazan, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish; Portuguese
• Published: Valparaiso Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, Escuela de Ciencias del Mar 01.09.2019; Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Facultad de Recursos Naturales. Escuela de Ciencias del Mar
• Subjects: Aluminum; Analysis; Aquatic animals; Aquatic biota; Aquatic crustaceans; Aquatic ecosystems; Bioaccumulation; Bioindicators; Biological indicators; Biological monitoring; Biomonitoring; Biota; Cadmium; Chemical composition; Coastal zone; Coastal zones; Copper; Diatoms; Dinoflagellates; Dispersion; Ecosystems; Electron microscopy; Fish; FISHERIES; Heavy metals; Indigenous species; Interpolation; Iron; Lagoons; Lead; Mangroves; MARINE & FRESHWATER BIOLOGY; Mercury; Mercury (metal); Metals; Metals (Materials); OCEANOGRAPHY; Plankton; Pollution; Scales; Scanning electron microscopy; Silver; Spectrometry; Spectroscopy; Toxicology; Trace elements; Trace metals; Water; Water pollution; X rays; X-ray spectroscopy; Zinc; Mexico; Yucatan Peninsula; Yucatan Peninsula; bioindicators; plankton; heavy metals
• ISSN: 0718-560X; 0718-560X
• DOI: 10.3856/vol47-issue4-fulltext-7

Microanalysis of elemental composition using dispersive energy X-ray is a biomonitoring tool to identify hazard metals. Using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, we studied the bioaccumulation of toxic metals in the lorica of diatoms, dinoflagellates, rotifers, cladocerans, copepods and fish scales in the aquatic ecosystems of northeastern Quintana Roo, Mexico. The study was carried out in the coastal zone, where samples were collected in 16 exposed bodies of water, including dolines, mangroves and lagoons. Microanalysis of the most abundant organisms revealed evidence of the presence of essential trace elements and metals (Ag, Al, Br, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb and Zn) in the lorica and scales. Furthermore, interpolation maps of the northeastern zone of Quintana Roo were produced to pinpoint critical pollution zones of Cd, Hg and Pb, elements that are deemed toxic to the health of humans and aquatic ecosystems. In conclusion, elemental microanalysis of species native to the Mexican state of Quintana Roo using X-ray is a powerful tool for aquatic and toxicological biomonitoring of hazardous metals.