Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and assessment of biomagnification in biota from Almirantado Bay, King George Island, Antarctica.

Abstract

The Antarctic continent is considered as an environment slightly impacted, but with the increase of human activities and the number of research stations there is a tendency of increase the levels of some contaminants in the Antarctic environment, including heavy metals. In this study we intend to establish the levels of Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Copper, Chromium, Mercury, Nickel, Zinc, in biological samples from different trophics levels collected in 2003 in the region of Almirantado Bay, Rei George Island. Arctownski research stations (Poland), Comandante Ferraz (EACF, Brazil) and Machu Picchu (Peru) are installed in this area. It is intended to verify the behavior of these metals in the food chain, the occurrence of biomagnification, and identify which species act as biomonitoras. The analyzes will be conducted by means of Optical Emission Spectrometry with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES). For Hg and As, will be used the steam / hydrides creation coupled to ICP-OES. The results will be evaluated through of multivariate statistical analyzes and they will assist in the evaluation of the elements along the trophic levels. There will also be useful to understand the levels of these elements in the pre-accident conditions of EACF from the current conditions and post-accident, within the monitoring works being undertaken by INCT-BB (National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Research environmental).