Gladstone Fish Health Investigation 2011 - 2012 - Western Basin ...

Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts150ZincTrip 1Trip 2100500Awonga DamBundabergFitzroyHamilton Pon PointUpper BoyneFigure 17 -by tripMean measured concentrations of zinc in barramundi liver (mg/kg dry weight) by site and5.3.GrinnerAluminium, iron, copper and zincwere significantly higher (P≤0.05) in grinnerr muscle collected atBundaberg(a reference site) compared to other sites, but there were no other trends (Appendix B).5.4.SummaryComparisons revealedthat mud crab hepatopancreasconcentrations of metals and metalloidswere similar to other estuaries and near-coastal sites along the east coast of Queensland.Barramundi livers fromGladstonesometimes had higher concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, ironand zinc than the reference sites, but there was no relationship between the concentrations ofthese metals and the health of this species. The presence of elevated concentrations of arsenic,iron and zinc in barramundi liversis consistent with the fact that these metals s were detected inwaters of the Gladstone area. The elevated concentration of cadmium in barramundi liver isunusual given that it was rarely quantified inn the watersof the Gladstone area.Page 24