Origin, transfer and effects of heavy metals in a soil-plant-snail food chain in polluted ecosystems of Biesbosch National Park

摘要: Emissions of heavy metals result in pollution the soil, atmosphere and hydrosphere, this is a potential threat to health humans ecosystems. Biesbosch National Park (the Netherlands) exposed chronic diffuse metals. The park floodplain area which rivers Rhine Meuse join. They contained high loads 1960s 1970s, polluted sediments were deposited floodplains. These layers sediment are still present. This study investigates metal terrestrial soil-plant-herbivore food chain Biesbosch. A characteristic was selected, including plant species Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) snail Cepaea nemoralis (grovesnail or brown-lipped snail). Both very common often occur together, because C. includes stinging nettle leaves its diet. Three main research questions formulated: 1. What extent transfer through soil-plant-snail chain? 2. origin Pb 3. effects on organisms studied zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) cadmium (Cd). Four locations selected Biesbosch, two relatively 'clean' reference outside area. In addition, highly location near Zn factory Belgium. investigated by determining concentrations Zn, Cu, Cd compartments chain. To investigate from snails more extensively, accumulation at low, but field-relevant diet (U. leaves). means isotope ratios. experiments using natural leaves), soil order simulate field situation. shows within Park. 'old' contributes old contains derived industrial activities hinterland Rhine. Contemporary atmospheric also levels snails, despite low atmosphere. elevated do not cause sub-lethal consumption reproduction growth likely either. excretion Cd, perhaps other metals, via mucus possibly contributing absence bioavailable soils