Artemia as a Bioindicator of Environmental Contamination by Trace Elements

• Published in: Microchemical journal Vol. 51; no. 1-2; pp. 181 - 186
• Main Authors: Petrucci, F., Caimi, S., Mura, G., Caroli, S.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier B.V 01.02.1995; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Seawaters, estuaries; Water treatment and pollution; Sardinia; Italy; Europe; Crustacea; Brackish water environment; Chemical analysis; Arthropoda; Biological indicator; Water pollution; Atoll lagoon; Metal; Invertebrata; Artemia; Branchiopoda; Coastal zone
• ISSN: 0026-265X; 1095-9149
• DOI: 10.1006/mchj.1995.1023

The crustacean Artemia is the main component of zooplankton in natural salt ponds and salines of Sardinia. This organism appears to be suitable as an environmental bioindicator because it can reflect the degree of contamination by trace elements in the aquatic compartment. Moreover, given its role in hydroponics, where it is used to feed larvae and fry, it may clearly give rise to bioaccumulation through the food chain, with obvious consequences to man. A study was thus undertaken to ascertain the levels of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, and Zn both in adults and in cysts of Artemia sampled from seven different sites in Sardinia. Water specimens from the same sites were also analyzed. Determinations were performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion of the specimens. As a rule, results show that the highest concentrations are detected in cysts with concentration ranges (in mg/kg) of 1.9-4.1 for As, 0.17-1.9 for Cd, 3.8-26 for Cu, 0.14-0.45 for Hg, 2.2-10.6 for Pb, 0.9-2.4 for Se, and 7.1-129 for Zn, while the lowest figures are typical of water. A better evaluation of the toxicological and ecotoxicological implications of aquaculture should thus be possible.