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1345884 
Journal Article 
Characterization of arsenic content in marine organisms from temperate, tropical, and polar environments 
Fattorini, D; Notti, A; Regoli, F 
2006 
Yes 
Chemistry and Ecology
ISSN: 0275-7540
EISSN: 1029-0370 
Taylor & Francis 
ABINGDON 
22 
5 
405-414 
English 
WOS:000242341400005 
Arsenic is a widely distributed element which occurs in several chemical forms in the marine environment. Inorganic arsenic mediates the most toxic effects and predominates in sea water and sediments, while organisms generally accumulate non-toxic organic forms to concentrations probably reflecting species-specific characteristics in arsenic metabolism. This work represents an additional contribution to our knowledge on natural levels and chemical speciation of arsenic in marine organisms; basal concentrations were characterized in several species (bivalves, crustaceans, and fishes) from different environments (polar, temperate, and tropical latitudes), and results revealed an elevated variability with values ranging from less than 5 to about 200 μg g−1. No significant effects were observed as a function of the geographical area, with the only exception of crustaceans always showing more elevated arsenic concentrations in Mediterranean species (about 45–110 μg g−1) compared with tropical species (lower than 30 μg g−1). Chemical speciation of arsenic was investigated in representative species from the three studied taxa; the predominance of organic forms confirmed the general tendency of marine organisms to bioaccumulate non-toxic arsenic compounds, probably resulting from a detoxification pathway. 
arsenic; total content; chemical speciation; marine organisms; bioaccumulation 
CHEMISTRY AND ECOLOGY