BIOGEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DOMINANT GASTROPOD SPECIES FROM THE STONY LITTORAL OF SOUTHERN BAIKAL

Abstract

The trace element composition of dominant gastropod species from the littoral of southern Baikal was investigated. Both different mollusk species and their parts (shells and soft tissues) show specific trace element characteristics. The highest Sr and Ba contents were observed in Maackia herderiana. The highest Zn, Cu, and Cd and lowest Pb contents were detected in Megalovalvata baicalensis. Choanomphalus sp. shows high Mn and Ti and very low Sr, Cu, and Cd contents. Most of Cu, Zn, and Cd and a considerable fraction of Rb, Pb, Mo, Sc, Ce, W, Ga, Y, and Th are incorporated in the gastropod bodies. The maximum concentration of U is also characteristic of the body tissues. The foot tissues of Maackia herderiana and Megalovalvata baicalensis are depleted in the majority of elements compared with their bodies. Sr and Ba are prevalent in the mollusk shells, where high Mn contents were also detected. A close relationship was observed between the chemical compositions of the gastropods, stony substrate, and bottom water. Group concentration of trace elements is common in the species investigated. Relative to the bottom water layer, the gastropod species concentrate Ti, Mn, La, Co, Y, and V and show similarly low extraction of U, W, Mo, and Cs. Compared with the bottom sediments, the mollusks accumulate Sr. In addition, Maackia herderiana and Megalovalvata baicalensis accumulate Cd and Zn. Megalovalvata baicalensis is distinguished by the ability to concentrate Cu. The following sequence is formed by the gastropods with respect to their capacity to accumulate Cd, Zn, and Cu: Megalovalvata baicalensis > Maackia herderiana > Choanomphalus sp.