Concentration and mobilisation of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn by meiofauna populations living in harbour sediment: their role in the heavy metal flux from sediment to food web

The bioavailability of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn was assessed in different harbours of the Atlantic coast (France). The responses of the two dominant meiobent hic groups (nematodes and copepods) to a heavy metal contamination gradient measured in similar subtidal sediments were observed in field surveys. Hea vy metal concentrations were measured in nematodes and copepods. Nematodes have higher Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn transfer factors than copepods or other benth ic species. The flux of heavy metal through nematodes was estimated and app ears to be important compared to plankton in the process of heavy metal tra nsfer to benthic or pelagic food webs. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.