Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
2074271 
Technical Report 
Determining Trace Element Concentrations in Marine Larvae Using Electrothermal Vaporization and Laser Ablation Technology 
Levin, LA 
1998 
NTIS/03006551 
GRA and I 
GRA and I 
The objective of this DURIP award was the acquisition of an instrument to enhance analytical capabilities in support of grant no. N00014-96- 1-0025 (Bay Ocean Exchange Processes: Development and Application of a Meroplankton Tracer Technique). This research is concerned with (1) determining the uptake and retention of trace metals by invertebrate larvae and (2) elemental fingerprinting of naturally occurring larvae as a means to determine site of origin. The objective was to quantify composition of multiple trace elements for small samples (i.e., individual larvae). With DURIP funds an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES, model Optima 3OOODV) was purchased for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography analytical facilities. The ICP-OES has been used to characterize the elemental composition of newly hatched crab larvae sampled from San Diego Bay, neighboring embayments and coastal habitats. Results have shown that elements (e.g., copper, aluminum, zinc, strontium) can be quantified for individual larvae and are useful in distinguishing larvae originating from inner vs outer San Diego Bay and coastal habitats. Other applications of the Scripps ICP-OES since its purchase include trace element characterization of (a) contaminated sediments to develop remediation methods (B. Tibo), (b) meteorites to model age of the early solar system (G. Lugmair and C. MacIsaac), and (c) igneous rocks to track earth history (P. Castillo).