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Marine and Freshwater Research Marine and Freshwater Research Society
Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Distribution and significance of copper, lead, zinc and cadmium in the Corio Bay ecosystem

JD Smith, ECV Butler, BR Grant, GW Little, N Millis and PJ Milne

Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 32(2) 151 - 164
Published: 1981

Abstract

Levels of copper, lead, zinc and cadmium in sediments, waters and mussels (Mytilus edulis) from Corio Bay (Vic.) were measured on two occasions in 1977. The bay has restricted water exchange with Port Phillip Bay and is known to have received a major input of cadmium. The respective concentrations of copper, lead, zinc and cadmium in the sediments were 2-50,2-2l0,4-398 and up to 12.6 µg/g; in the unfiltered waters, I .5-25, <0.4-11, 3.9-67 and 0.11-5.6 µg/l; and in the mussels, 4.8-21. 1.2-9.7, 105-110 and 9.8-53 µg/g on a dry weight basis.

The observed levels of heavy metals are compared with threshold levels reported in the literature as causing significant interference with growth of phytoplankton and nutrient cycling by bacterial processes.

https://doi.org/10.1071/MF9810151

© CSIRO 1981

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