Chemical element composition and amphipod concentration function in Baikal littoral zone

Abstract

Mass-spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma was used to determine the element composition of 19 amphipod species, most of which are widespread in the stony littoral of Lake Baikal. Amphipod composition was found to be dominated by Ca > P ≥ S > K ≥ Na > Cl > Mg > Sr ≥ Br ≥ Si. The concentrations of all elements determined in amphipods is greater than the respective concentrations in water. The amphipods were found to concentrate P > Br > Cu > Zn > Cd to the greatest extent relative to the element composition of water and Br > P ≥ I > Ca > S > Cl ≥ As > Sr relative to that of the stone substrate. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Pb, and Hg in 2003–2006 in the amphipods of the stony littoral of Baikal was not greater than their concentrations in the amphipods from conventionally non-polluted or weakly polluted aquatic ecosystems. The obtained results can be used as background values in environmental monitoring.