Selenium, cadmium, copper, and zinc concentrations in sediments and mullet(Mugil cephalus) from the southern basin of Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia

Selenium, cadmium, copper, and zinc concentrations were measured in sedimen ts and the tissues of mullet (Mugil cephalus) collected from the southern b asin of Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia. Trace metals in surficial sediments are enriched in trace metals relative to background concentrations (seleni um, 3-19; cadmium, 14-42; copper, 1.5-3.6; zinc, 0.77-2.2 times background) . Selenium, cadmium, and copper in Lake Macquarie mullet tissues are elevat ed compared to those in mullet collected from the Clyde River estuary, a re latively pristine location. Selenium and copper concentrations are also ele vated compared to those reported in mullet tissues from other nonpolluted c oastal environments. Zinc concentrations in Lake Macquarie mullet muscle ti ssues are significantly higher than those in muscle tissues of mullet from the Clyde River estuary, but mullet from both locations have similar zinc c oncentrations in other tissues. These results show that contamination of se diment with trace metals has resulted in elevated trace metals in the benth ic feeding fish M. cephalus. Little of the variation of trace metal concent rations between fish was explained by variation in mass. Selenium concentra tions in mullet are of concern in muscle tissues as they are above recommen ded acceptable limits for safe human consumption, while concentrations in t issues are at levels that may effect fish growth, reproduction, and surviva l. Copper concentrations in mullet tissues are also at levels that may redu ce fish growth.