ARSENIC AND OTHER TRACE-ELEMENTS IN THE WATERS AND ORGANISMS OF AN ESTUARY IN SW ENGLAND

Arsenic, cadmium, copper and zinc occur at elevated levels in the waters of Carnon River and the upper reaches of Restronguet Creek, these concentrations decreasing progressively towards the estuary of Carrick Roads. While arsenite is the main form of As in the Carnon River, this is converted to arsenate in the lower estuary. Organisms analysed from Restronguet Creek reflect the As concentration in the water, this being most clearly evident in macrophytes. Although accumulated at all trophic levels, there was no evidence for biomagnification of As on an entire organism basis. The As was shown to exist in selected organisms as a compound(s) which forms on hydrolysis, dimethylarsinate and traces of arsenate and methylarsonate. © 1979.