POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN SALTMARSHES: A REVIEW ON METAL(LOID)S TOLERANCE AND ACCUMULATION, BIOMARKERS AND POTENTIAL BIOINDICATORS
Keywords:
Heavy metals, Bioindicators, Biomarkers, Invertebrates, PlantsAbstract
Saltmarshes are important coastal ecosystems that provide numerous ecosystem services. Despite their ecological importance, marshes are exposed to potential toxic elements (PTE) from different natural and anthropogenic sources. Metal(loid)s are one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants due to their toxicity and persistence in the
environment, bioaccumulation along the food chain, disruption of the ecosystem, and being a risk for the biodiversity of these areas and to human well-being. This review provides an overview of the most used species of halophytic plants and invertebrates as potential bioindicators of metal exposure and the biomarkers used in saltmarshes based on field
monitoring studies published in the last four years. The most studied PTE in plants were Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr and Mn, being the pattern of accumulation higher in roots/rhizomes than in aerial tissues (leaves, stems). In invertebrates, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni and Fe were the most analyzed elements. This review highlights and remarks on the importance of studies on PTE accumulation and tolerance of halophytes. It is essential to assess and monitor polluted saltmarshes using organisms that not only have the potential to act as sentinel species, but also could be used for bioremediation. It is necessary a deeper understanding of the metal accumulation, transformation, and tolerance by dominant taxa
that inhabit saltmarshes, as well as PTE effects to define appropriate ecosystem management and restoration measures.
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