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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

An Ultra-clean Multilayer Apparatus for Collecting Size Fractionated Marine Plankton and Suspended Particles
Published on: April 19, 2018
Metal concentrations in the shell of Bathymodiolus azoricus from contrasting hydrothermal vent fields on the
1Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA), FCMA, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Portugal. acravo@ualg.pt
Abstract:
Specimens of Bathymodiolus azoricus were sampled along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at the Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike and Rainbow hydrothermal fields. Individual shells (n = 51), through the weight range 0.62 to 15.70 g, were analyzed for their magnesium, strontium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc and cadmium concentrations. Amongst the marine molluscs the shell of B. azoricus is confirmed as being particularly impoverished in strontium (mean 943 microg g(-1)). Trace metal concentrations in the shells decreased in the order Fe> Mn> Zn> Cu> Cd. Despite originating from trace metal rich environments mean concentrations were low (37.9, 13.2, 10.7, 1.1 and 0.7 microg g(-1), respectively). Irrespective of geographical origin magnesium, strontium and copper concentrations were primarily dictated by shell weight. In contrast cadmium concentrations were elevated in shells from the Rainbow field and ambient seawater chemistry imparted site specific chemical fingerprints to the shells with respect to the iron to manganese ratio.
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