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dc.contributor.authorNair, M.
dc.contributor.authorJayalakshmy, K.V.
dc.contributor.authorBalachandran, K.K.
dc.contributor.authorJoseph, T.
dc.date.accessioned2008-02-12T04:35:02Z
dc.date.available2008-02-12T04:35:02Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.identifier.citationEnvironmental Forensics, Vol. 7; 197-206p.
dc.identifier.urihttp://drs.nio.org/drs/handle/2264/811
dc.description.abstractConcentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Mn in different tissues of 17 species of fish from a tropical estuary (Cochin backwaters) are presented. The metal electivity index (MSI) was found to be a better tool compared with the tissue selectivity index (TSI) for explaining bioaccumulation. Regardless of the tissue type, accumulation was maximum for Zn and minimum for Cd. A distinct metal accumulation capacity for each species was noteworthy. The low variability in metal content in the gills indicated its inertness towards bioaccumulation compared with muscle or liver. The high positive correlation between Zn and Pb in tissues is indicative of the anthropogenic impact in the estuary. Conclusions are that, in a weakly polluted area, the organ of choice for estimating bioaccumulation potential is the liver, whereas in a heavily polluted area, the tissue of choice is the gill. The data presented here may be of help for forensic investigations in tropical ecosystems, for evaluation of contaminant impact, and for assessing past contamination events. Fish are good indicators of contamination, and the composition of bioaccumulative data for different species can serve in establishing a bioaccumulation database for that area, useful as a starting point (background) in forensic investigations.
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherTaylor and Francis
dc.rightsCopyright [2006]. It is tried to respect the rights of the copyright holders to the best of the knowledge. If it is brought to our notice by copyright holder that the rights are voilated then the item would be withdrawn.
dc.subjectbrackishwater fish
dc.subjecttoxicity
dc.subjectbioaccumulation
dc.subjecttissues
dc.subjectpollution effects
dc.subjectbackwaters
dc.subjecttropical environment
dc.subjectecosystems
dc.subjectheavy metals
dc.subjectsemi-enclosed seas
dc.titleBioaccumulation of toxic metals by fish in a semi enclosed tropical ecosystem
dc.typeJournal Article


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