From sea squirts to squirrelfish: facultative trace element hyperaccumulation in animals

Area of Science:

• Zoology
• Environmental Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Trace element hyperaccumulation is well-documented in plants, bacteria, and fungi.
• Animal hyperaccumulation of trace elements is less studied but occurs facultatively, even without environmental excess.
• Marine invertebrates are common hyperaccumulators due to constant water exposure and physiological adaptations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review animal hyperaccumulation of specific trace elements (arsenic, copper, iron, titanium, vanadium, zinc).
• To describe the mechanisms of trace element accumulation in animals.
• To hypothesize the functional roles of accumulated metals and explore their relevance to human health and environmental science.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of animal trace element hyperaccumulation.
• Analysis of accumulation mechanisms in various animal groups.
• Synthesis of data on functional roles and applications.

Main Results:

• Identified numerous animal species, particularly marine invertebrates (ascidians, mollusks, annelids), that hyperaccumulate trace elements.
• Detailed mechanisms of metal uptake and storage.
• Highlighted examples in terrestrial and marine vertebrates.

Conclusions:

• Animal hyperaccumulation offers insights into fundamental metal handling processes.
• These findings are relevant to understanding human diseases and aquatic metal toxicity.
• Hyperaccumulating animals show potential for bioremediation applications.