|
||||||||
ContaminantsMetalsThere are three main groups of metals: 1. Light metals--Na, K, Ca--soluble in aqueous solutions, non-toxic 2. Transition metals--Fe, Cu, Mn--essential in low concentrations, can be toxic to humans at high concentrations 3. Metalloids--Hg, Pb, As--toxic to humans at low concentrations Transition metals and metalloids are "heavy metals." Metalloids are "trace metals." Toxicity between humans and marine life can be quite different. Copper is toxic at lower concentrations to the marine environment than to humans, whereas lead is toxic to humans at lower concentrations than to marine life. Hg * + o Cu * Pb + o * Marine health hazard (i.e. toxic to marine life at lower concentrations than humans) + Human health hazard (i.e. toxic to humans at lower concentrations than marine life) o Bioaccumulate |
||||||||
|
