Bioaccumulation of Metallic Substances and Organometallic Compounds

Abstract

Metals in various forms are natural constituents of water bodies, both marine and freshwater, and are derived from natural processes such as the erosion of ore-bearing rocks and volcanic activity. Anthropogenic activities constitute an increasingly important source of metals in the aquatic environment. In recent years, the impact of increased levels of metals on biota has been the focus of much research. Metals are accumulated by all aquatic organisms to varying degrees. In some cases, biotic metal concentrations can reach lethal levels, while in others sublethal levels may still represent a problem in terms of biomag- nification. The Minamata Bay incident, in which 43 people died from eating mercury contaminated seafood, serves to highlight the importance of, and potentially serious consequences associated with, bioaccumulation of metals. In order to understand this process, it is necessary to investigate the chemical, physiological, and environmental factors which control the accumulation of metals by organisms. 1