The accumulation of metals and their toxicity in the marine intertidal invertebrates cerastoderma edule, Macoma balthica, Arenicola marina exposed to pulverised fuel ash in mesocosms

In order to investigate the accumulation of metals and related biological effects from Pulverized Fuel Ash (PFA), three intertidal benthic invertebrates were used in exposure studies with different mixtures of PFA sediments. After the first run of 90 days, high mortality was found in the lugworm Arenicola marina. After intermittent exposure to PFA, high mortality was also found for the cockle Cerastoderma edule. No mortality occurred with the baltic tellin Macoma balthica. Metal accumulation differed widely among the species. A. marina accumulated As to high levels in PFA mixtures, which may be attributed to changes in the redox potential of the sediment. It also appeared from this study that Zn levels in M. balthica tissue, for both control and exposed animals, are apparently normal but extremely high. Disposal of PFA in marine coastal waters will radically affect community structure at the dumping site. Accumulation of certain elements like As will be favoured in the mixing zone at the borders of a dump site due to a higher organic content and consequent higher bioavailability.