The Broad-Scale Analysis of Metals, Trace Elements, Organochlorine Pesticides and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Wetlands Along an Urban Gradient, and the Use of a High Trophic Snake as a Bioindicator

摘要: Wetlands and their biodiversity are constantly threatened by contaminant pollution from urbanisation. Despite evidence suggesting that snakes good bioindicators of environmental health, the bioaccumulation contaminants in reptiles is poorly researched Australia. We conducted first broad-scale analysis 17 metals trace elements, 21 organochlorine pesticides, 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons sediments (4 samples per site, December 2018) four wetlands along an urban gradient Perth, Western Australia, livers (5 February–April 2019) western tiger Notechis scutatus occidentalis captured at those sites. All elements were detected as well as 16 snakes. Arsenic, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, Zn at concentrations exceeding government trigger values least one sediment sample. Two pesticides six seven a single wetland, all values, but were not detected Metals generally higher concentration snake more heavily urbanised wetlands. The site had some possibly due to agriculture contaminated groundwater. Concentrations nine statistically different between Cd, Co, Mo, Sb, Se near paralleled pattern contamination measured wetland sediments; this supports use high trophic snakes, such contamination. Contamination sources impacts on these ecosystems discussed herein.