Fine-scale detection of pollutants by a benthic marine jellyfish

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 107; no. 1; pp. 340 - 346
• Main Authors: Epstein, Hannah E., Templeman, Michelle A., Kingsford, Michael J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.06.2016
• Subjects: Animals; Bioaccumulation; Cassiopea; Cassiopea maremetens; ecosystems; Environmental Monitoring; Fine-scale; land use; Marine; Metals; pollutants; Pollution; Queensland, Australia; runoff; Scyphozoa; Trace Elements; Trace metals; Water Pollutants, Chemical; water pollution; Cassiopea maremetens; Pollution; Queensland, Australia; Bioaccumulation; Fine-scale; Trace metals
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.03.027

Local sources of pollution can vary immensely on small geographic scales and short time frames due to differences in runoff and adjacent land use. This study examined the rate of uptake and retention of trace metals in Cassiopea maremetens, a benthic marine jellyfish, over a short time frame and in the presence of multiple pollutants. This study also validated the ability of C. maremetens to uptake metals in the field. Experimental manipulation demonstrated that metal accumulation in jellyfish tissue began within 24h of exposure to treated water and trended for higher accumulation in the presence of multiple pollutants. C. maremetens was found to uptake trace metals in the field and provide unique signatures among locations. This fine-scale detection and rapid accumulation of metals in jellyfish tissue can have major implications for both biomonitoring and the trophic transfer of pollutants through local ecosystems. •The rate of uptake and retention of trace metals in a jellyfish is examined.•Novel combination of field and laboratory methods used•Rapid uptake into jellyfish tissue occurred within 24h of exposure.•Jellyfish showed distinct metal signatures among varied field locations.•Implications for biomonitoring, trophic transfer and jellyfish fishery management