Influence of sediment acidification on the bioaccumulation of metals in Ruditapes philippinarum

Abstract

Background, aim and scope: The influence of pH (range 6.5–8.5) on the uptake of Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Hg, and As by juveniles of the clam Ruditapes philippinarum was examined in order to understand whether variation in sediment pH has significant repercussions on metal bioaccumulation. Materials and methods: Clams were exposed to sediments collected in three locations in the Gulf of Cadiz (Huelva, Guadalquivir and Bay of Cadiz) and to contaminated particles derived from an accidental mining spill in Spain. Results: With a notable exception of metal Cd, the concentration of metals within clams significantly increased (p < 0.1) when sediment pH was lowered by one or two units. Moreover, the magnitude of this effect was dependent on the type of sediment contamination. Discussion: Lower pH increases metal solubility and reduces or invert the metal sorption of metals to sediments. Increases in free metal ions in water favors metal uptake by clams, hence pH is an important factor controlling the mobility of these metals within sediments and their subsequent bioaccumulation within biota. Although sediment-water exchange of Cd can increase with acidification, this excess may be counterbalanced by the presence of ligands in seawater preventing the uptake by organism. Besides chlorines, Cd has also an affinity with carbonates and other ligands present in sea water. These Cd-carbonate complexes may reduce the bioavailable to organisms. Conclusions: These results highlight the potential implications of sediment acidification, either due to the storage excess of organic matter or to the forced capture of CO2, on the increasing metal availability to benthic organisms.