Bioaccumulation of Trace Metals in Planktonic Lucifer (Crustacea: Decapoda) from Cochin Backwaters Bettina P.A., Biju A.*, Rejomon G.1 Zoology Research Centre (University of Kerala), St. Stephen’s College, Pathanapuram-689 695, India 1Department of Chemistry, Bishop Abraham Memorial College, Thuruthicad-689 597, India *E-mail: bijuanio75@gmail.com
Online Published on 20 February, 2024. Abstract The study explores the bioaccumulation of trace metals like Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Cd and Pb in water and planktonic Lucifer samples that were collected from the Cochin backwaters during the period of March 2017 to January 2019. Significant spatial and seasonal variability for most of the trace metals was detected in water and Lucifer. The average concentration of trace metals in Lucifer samples analysed follows an order: Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd whereas the average bioaccumulation factors follow another order: Fe > Cu > Mn > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cd > Pb. Lucifer showed a great ability to accumulate metals by several hundred to thousand times, when compared to their concentrations detected in water, in particular for the essential elements Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni and Cr and for the non-essential metals Pb and Cd. High values of Bioaccumulation factors noted for trace metals in Lucifer reveal an enhanced bioavailability of the studied trace metals in the Cochin backwaters. Top Keywords Plankton, Lucifer, Trace metals, Bioaccumulation factor, Cochin backwaters. Top |