Selected metal levels of commercially valuable seaweeds adjacent to and distant from point sources of contamination in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada)
- Environment Canada, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia (Canada)
The harvesting of marine plants on a commercial scale was a significant industry in the Maritime Provinces of Canada by the end of World War II. These seaweeds have been traditionally utilized as foodstuffs either as a processed extract or a semi-processed plant. The Maritime coastline is becoming industrialized; there is also potential for expansion of the marine plant industry beyond traditional harvest areas. Therefore, the quality of material from new areas must be examined prior to exploitation as well as monitoring of traditional areas. The bioaccumulated of metals by marine plants was recognized in early measurements of trace element concentrations which were above ambient water values. Before growth and reproductive inhibition are caused by severe effects of heavy metal pollution, food quality changes may occur. The Food Chemical Code (U.S.A.) limits heavy metals in the extracts of seaweeds. Sediment and water samples taken in connection with the Ocean Dumping Control Act of Canada have identified several sites with elevated heavy metal content in the Maritimes. The purpose of this study was to examine heavy metal levels in commercially important seaweeds from traditional harvest areas and areas near point sources of pollution. The authors wished to provide a baseline for the future and identify existing problem areas.
- OSTI ID:
- 6942829
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA), Vol. 40:6; ISSN 0007-4861
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
METALS
UPTAKE
SEAWEEDS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SEDIMENTS
ALGAE
CONTAMINATION
LEGISLATION
NEW BRUNSWICK
NOVA SCOTIA
WATER POLLUTION
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CANADA
ELEMENTS
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
POLLUTION
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology