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759387 
Journal Article 
Analyzing trophic transfer of heavy metals for food webs in the newly-formed wetlands of the Yellow River Delta, China 
Cui, B; Zhang, Q; Zhang, K; Liu, X; Zhang, H 
2011 
Yes 
Environmental Pollution
ISSN: 0269-7491
EISSN: 1873-6424 
159 
5 
1297-1306 
English 
21306806 
WOS:000290192400037 
Nine heavy metals sampled from water, sediments, and aquatic organisms in the newly-formed wetlands of the Yellow River Delta (YRD) of China were analyzed to evaluate their concentrations and trophic transfer in food webs. The stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes were used to investigate trophic interactions. Results show that most of heavy metals detected in water and sediments are lower than that in Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta. The longest food web is approximately 4 with the highest trophic level of birds. The difference of heavy metal concentrations between endangered Saunders's Gull and other three kinds of protected birds is not obvious. Cd, Zn, and Hg were identified to have an increase with the trophic level (TL), while As, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Pb show an opposite trend, however, the biomagnification of the selected nine heavy metals in the food webs is not significant. 
; Rivers; Aquatic organisms; Isotopes; Chromium; Heavy metals; Copper; Trophic levels; Sediments; Lead; Carbon; Zinc; Wetlands; Cadmium; Manganese; Food webs; Pollution; Nitrogen; Environmental pollution; Chemical composition of river water; Carbon isotopes; Trace metals in river water; Nitrogen isotopes; Birds; Aves; deltas; Trophic Level; Food Chains; Sediment Contamination/