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Title: Selected metal levels of commercially valuable seaweeds adjacent to and distant from point sources of contamination in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

Abstract

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 formore » the future and identify existing problem areas.« less

Authors:
 [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada)
  2. Environment Canada, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia (Canada)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6942829
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 40:6; Journal ID: ISSN 0007-4861
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; 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

Citation Formats

Sharp, G J, Samant, H S, and Vaidya, O C. Selected metal levels of commercially valuable seaweeds adjacent to and distant from point sources of contamination in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. United States: N. p., 1988. Web. doi:10.1007/BF01697522.
Sharp, G J, Samant, H S, & Vaidya, O C. Selected metal levels of commercially valuable seaweeds adjacent to and distant from point sources of contamination in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01697522
Sharp, G J, Samant, H S, and Vaidya, O C. 1988. "Selected metal levels of commercially valuable seaweeds adjacent to and distant from point sources of contamination in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick". United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01697522.
@article{osti_6942829,
title = {Selected metal levels of commercially valuable seaweeds adjacent to and distant from point sources of contamination in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick},
author = {Sharp, G J and Samant, H S and Vaidya, O C},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {10.1007/BF01697522},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6942829}, journal = {Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA)},
issn = {0007-4861},
number = ,
volume = 40:6,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988},
month = {Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988}
}