Impact of bioavailable heavy metals on bacterial activities in coastal marine sediments

Total heavy metal concentrations in marine sediments are not sufficient to reliably predict detrimental biological effects. Here we provide evidence that only bioavailable heavy metals have a significant impact on benthic microbial loop functioning. Sediment samples collected along 250 km of the Apu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:World journal of microbiology & biotechnology 2003-02, Vol.19 (1), p.93-100
Main Authors: DELL'ANNO, A, MEI, M. L, IANNI, C, DANOVARO, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthropogenic factors
Bioavailability
bioindicators
Biological and medical sciences
Biological effects
Brackish
Copper
Environmental conditions
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Heavy metals
Marine
Marine sediments
Metal concentrations
Metals
Microbiology
Organic matter
Sediment samplers
Sediments
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Total heavy metal concentrations in marine sediments are not sufficient to reliably predict detrimental biological effects. Here we provide evidence that only bioavailable heavy metals have a significant impact on benthic microbial loop functioning. Sediment samples collected along 250 km of the Apulian coast (Mediterranean Sea) were analysed for total and bioavailable heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb and Cu), organic matter content, bacterial abundance, biomass and carbon production and β-glucosidase activity. Sampling strategy was specifically designed to cover a wide range of environmental conditions and types of anthropogenic influences. Total heavy metal concentrations in the sediments were tightly coupled with organic matter content, whereas bioavailable heavy metal concentrations displayed an opposite pattern. Bioavailable Cr concentrations were up to 10-fold higher than values observed for the other bioavailable metals and significantly inhibited benthic bacterial metabolism and turnover. Results from this study suggest that functional microbial variables are highly sensitive to heavy metal contamination and could be used as bioindicators of stress conditions in coastal sediments.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0959-3993
1573-0972
DOI:10.1023/A:1022581632116