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Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Laboratory Estimation of Net Trophic Transfer Efficiencies of PCB Congeners to Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush from Its Prey
Published on: August 29, 2014
Stage-dependent trace metal bioaccumulation in Scomber colias across the ontogenetic transition
Enrique Lozano-Bilbao1, José M Lorenzo2, José A González2
1Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 38071, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; CETIFM (Comportamiento, Ecología Trófica e Impactos en Fauna Marina) Universidad de la Laguna, Departamento Biología animal, Edafologia y Geologia, San Cristobal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38204, Spain.
Abstract:
Habitat transitions linked to ontogeny can markedly alter contaminant exposure in marine fishes, yet their effects on trace-metal bioaccumulation remain poorly quantified. This study examines how the shift from pelagic to benthic habitats shapes muscle concentrations of aluminium (Al), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in the Atlantic chub mackerel Scomber colias, a key commercial species in the NE Atlantic. A total of 201 individuals from artisanal fisheries in the Canary Islands were classified as young (<28 cm total length, TL) or mature (≥28 cm TL) adults. Segmented regressions, non-parametric tests, multivariate analyses, functional metal ratios and a Potential Ecological Risk Index were applied. Metal concentrations increased sharply with size, with mature adults showing approximately 6-, 2-, 2.5- and 2-fold higher levels of Cd, Pb, Fe and Zn, respectively, than young adults. Breakpoints in the length-metal relationships occurred between 22.4 and 35.6 cm TL, defining a tipping size near 28 cm that coincides with the onset of benthic feeding. Environmental monitoring and seafood safety risk assessment as well as fisheries management are directly impacted by these findings.
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